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Post by starlingqueen on Sept 9, 2017 8:54:38 GMT
I found my 6 year old chook had died over night. She was the one who survived the fox attack and lived for 5 years after. She was top chook and a lovely girl. Bracken will miss her as will I. Sleep tight my little battler.  |
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Oct 6, 2011 7:41:27 GMT
Marianne Marlow
Administrator 
George, Daisy, Iris, Billy, Peter, Chipper, Dinku, Barney, Ayla and Rocky
Posts: 28,839 
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Post by Marianne Marlow on Sept 9, 2017 9:09:03 GMT
I'm sorry to hear this, rest in peace Fern.
How long do Chickens normally live if you don't mind me asking?
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Post by starlingqueen on Sept 9, 2017 9:19:06 GMT
It depends on the breed and their genetic make up. Like dogs the in breeding can shorten their lifespan. Generally between 5 and 8 years more if they are a tough breed. So far these 2, Fern and Bracken and our old Willow, have been the longest lived but we had ex battery hens before and they have a tough life so don't live long in my experience.
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Post by samwiseg on Sept 9, 2017 9:23:17 GMT
Awww am sorry SQ RIP Fern  |
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Post by Hezz on Sept 9, 2017 9:36:26 GMT
That is very sad, SQ.  Chooks have so much personality, there is no such thing as "just a chook". She did well to get passed the fox attack; I remember you telling of that occasion. Rest in peace, Captain Fern. xx |
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Post by ffiscool on Sept 9, 2017 9:41:39 GMT
I'm so sorry. lovely girl, RIP Fern
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Post by Shirls on Sept 9, 2017 9:45:39 GMT
Oh dear I am so sorry to hear this Wendy, lovely, beautiful Fern. I really hate it when I lose a chook, you must be devastated. My thoughts are with you and hugs too. Was there something wrong that you were aware of starlingqueen? Or was it just 'her time'? Rest in peace beautiful Fern. |
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Post by sweetpea on Sept 9, 2017 9:52:45 GMT
So sorry. RIP beautiful Fern.
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Post by OP on Sept 9, 2017 10:29:11 GMT
Rest in Peace Fern.
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Post by jellybean on Sept 9, 2017 10:31:07 GMT
Im so sorry SQ. Rest in peace beautiful Fern.
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Post by starlingqueen on Sept 9, 2017 10:48:23 GMT
Thank you all. Shirls she was getting very slow and resting a lot as is Bracken, so I think it was just her time. Bit worried about Bracken now, she is just walking around making little chooky noises. Think she's feeling lost. I will try putting her with the little ones later to see how they get on. She has always been fascinated with them, watches them all the time, but Fern, being top chook would charge at the wire between them if they came too close so we knew she wouldn't accept them. Hopefully Bracken might. |
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Post by Hezz on Sept 9, 2017 10:52:50 GMT
Hopefully Bracken will find some comfort being with the "little ones'.
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Post by Shirls on Sept 10, 2017 8:48:00 GMT
Agree with what Hezz has said there Wendy. She may, hopefully, find mixing with the little ones distracting of her grief. |
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Post by starlingqueen on Sept 10, 2017 12:41:27 GMT
The intros are going OK. There was some fluffing up and posturing from Bracken and little tiny Maple made a threatening move towards her but grapes and corn were on hand as well as a towel just in case. It's a bit worrying when you have a larger than average chicken bearing down on a tiny bantam.
I felt so sorry for Bracken having to go to bed on her own last night. She has spent a lot of time just sitting in her house today and Maggie and Maple have been having a bit of a tussle too. Maggie pulls at Maples tail leaving it in a mess so I have to spray her with anti peck spray. Slowly we will get there though and soon hopefully they can all live together.
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Post by Shirls on Sept 10, 2017 13:51:43 GMT
Bracken will soon show them who the top chook is and all will settle down. This must be taking Bracken's mind off her loss and hopefully she will have some company when she goes to sleep tonight. There is nothing worse than a 'lone' chicken at night time.
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Chooks have so much personality, there is no such thing as "just a chook". 
