one dead one dying, is it related or is erica pining for Norma?

[amummyinwaiting]

They are both ex batts. Norma started just hunkering all the on Monday. Tuesday was sick lot and died this morning. On Tuesday her sick was like gloopy water and she had water dioreaah (I know that is spelled wrong!). On Tuesady afternoon we put her to bed and Erica (who has had a shrunken comb for ages, hobbles round and generally old looking but happy) snuggled in with her and even put her wing over her.
This morning when Norma died Erica came out and ate and drank but when I got home tonight she was out in the coop standing up asleep but in such a deep sleep we could barely wake her. We bought her in and when I was holding her she was sick the same as Norma's. She is now stretched out in a deep sleep.
Is it just that they have lived long enough?I'm worried that it is contagious as we have two others.
And I am so so sad that Norma is dead, and hate seeing little Erica so ill.
Please no silly comments if a none chicken keeper is reading this and says put them in the pot as I am very upset.

I am so sorry. But if they were both sick, it sounds like an illness, rather than coincidence. Could they have eaten anything in the garden? I think the only way to get an answer is a vet. But you should segregate Erica.

She may recover and I hope that she does. Cyber chickeny hugs from another chicken owner rather potty about her girls...

Thank you punk at heart, Erica died 12 hours after Norma, I held her as she slipped into unconscousness but there was nothing that could be done :(
Hilda and sylvia seem fine but a bit lost without the other two.
Now begins the decision making of if we have others.
Thank you for the hug. x

Oh you poor thing. You were there with her and I think that would have given her a lot of comfort. I still think of my three little lost girls - all characters that make me smile still.

Chickens will mourn. One of ours searched the whole house for her lost companion. But they will forget.

Take care of yourself and remember the two girls maybe by planting something in the garden. It helps a little - as does thinking about all the silly quirky things they did. Finally, they will make you smile whenever they pop into your head....

i have ex batts too and i never ever thought i would feel so attached to them. they all have individual characters and are far more intelligent than i thought they would be. i always say i will never get any more as it can get too upsetting when they are ill or we lose one. however i always do as it is incredibly rewarding to see them flourish and discover what life can be like for a chicken.

very sorry for your loss. it sounds as if they had a great life and had comfort from you when they were ill.

Thank you both. I miss them so much. Norma used to roll on the mat in our shed and Erica was the smallest, oldest looking thing....but she ruled the roost, Our other two are non batts who we gave a home to from off here and I love them so much but your right chickchickchicken they do flourish. I think we are going to have a break from having ex batts for a while as m husband in particular is just too upset,but I definatly want to have them again so fo now we are compromising and going to a bird auction to see what is about.
All three died within a year of having them, but I can see now that there lives were better for being with us, and ours were better for having them in it.
Thank you both for your support.

I think incredible and compassionate people take on ex batts. I am too emotionally weak to do it. All the chicken people I have met have reaffirmed my belief in the kindness of human nature.

You are doing a good thing. Watching that transformation must be close to a miracle.

xx

You forge how they looked until you look back on the photos. The first time they dust bath, or spread there wings out for the sun is just so lovely. Ours just used to stand out in the rain as they didn't know what else to do.
Sylvia and Hilda are so lovely but our ex batts hold a special place in my heart.
x x x

So sorry this has happened. As you have other chickens you need to give your hen house a good clean out asap. Totally empty and then scrub with something like Jeyes fluid or diluted dettol.

it is very sad they didnt live for years after you rehomed but what an amazing life you gave them. we have been lucky and all (besides one) of our ex batts have lived for years and have kept laying for years too. we have one who is 7! she is still top hen too

"The first time they dust bath, or spread there wings out for the sun is just so lovely. Ours just used to stand out in the rain as they didn't know what else to do."

so true OP. it is very humbling