Lost 5 hens 5 different species - What gives??

williep · Post by **williep** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:12 am

I almost feel to bad to post this since I have "abandoned" this forum, although I'll have to blame my 60-80 hour a week job for that!

Anyhow, I've lost 5 hens over the last 2-3 weeks and am really worried, I'm thinking it might be a case of the hens being eggbound, but I'm really not sure. I don't spend enough time watching my birds to notice any behaviour issues as I leave before dawn and only come home after dark.

I've lost a Seagreen Parrot, Grassfinch, Owl, Zebra and gouldain hen.

Any ideas?

CandoAviary · Post by **CandoAviary** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 9:34 am

Very sorry that you have experienced this loss. Seems like one would assume eggbinding since it is only the hens. Have they been breeding? Plenty of calcium? Are they in the same aviary? Could you possibly have a very aggressive male chasing hens?

dfcauley · Post by **dfcauley** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:04 am

other than egg binding...... I don't know what it could be.

I am so sorry to hear of this. I know your devastated.

L in Ontario · Post by **L in Ontario** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:57 am

Hi Willie, Nice to hear from you but rather it were good news than this. Are you leaving any eggfood out? Maybe the hens are more susceptible to food going 'off' during breeding.

If it were egg binding the hens would be on the floor of the aviary - were any of them on the floor or do you only find them after they have passed?

Very sorry for your losses - one is bad enough.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:02 am

williep
I have been concerned about your not being around lately have missed your input,but your problem as the others said maybe egg binding. It really sad so many hens,but not much else it could be

Hope · Post by **Hope** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:53 pm

So sorry for your losses. That's really hard with so many at once

I love ZF · Post by **I love ZF** » Sun Jun 21, 2009 3:17 pm

I'm so sorry for your loss! I had kind of that same problem last year. My female zebra finches died one after another in 6 months..... In my case, it wasn't egg binding at all cuz I gave them egg, egg shells, egg food, cuttle bone, grit, instead, it was illness. They all had different symptoms though. It could be, that there was bacterial infection going around. But all males were fine. Maybe females are more susceptible to get sick since they could get stress more by laying eggs and all..... hope your other birdies are okay.

Post by **Sally** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:01 am

So sorry to hear of your losses, williep. We've missed you, but can certainly understand that you don't have a lot of 'leisure' time right now. Since it is only hens that you have lost, it sure makes you think eggbinding. Are you giving them a vitamin D3 supplement, either with the calcium or in an overall vitamin supplement? There has been a lot of discussion lately about the role D3 plays in helping the birds absorb the calcium. Without it, a lot of the calcium passes thru without being used.

akidsgal · Post by **akidsgal** » Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:04 pm

I am so sorry for your losses. Hopefully the next post you do is to show of some awesome new babies and healthy hens

Calcium Calcium Calcium!

FINCHforum

Lost 5 hens 5 different species - What gives??

Lost 5 hens 5 different species - What gives??

Re: Lost 5 hens 5 different species - What gives??