My chicken is sick, need a vet today. Advice or knowledge appreciated

[aFlowerChild]

We have a little chicken that seems to be sick. She came to us three years ago and has become a member of our family. She is usually very social, comes to the car when we come home, loves to eat out of our hands, follows us around the yard as we work.

For the past couple of days, she sleeps most of the time and doesn't even seem interested in the treats we hold out to her. Today, she will not get out of her coop. She stands there with her eyes drooping shut and doesn't even give her little throaty 'cluck' that sounds like she is saying: "Hi" to us.

I don't know much about chickens but I know this is not the Henrietta that we have come to love. We don't know any vets, or even who is open today. I think she is dying, my husband, of course, says "she will make it" Someone please help us with some information. she is the cutest little thing and has given to us so much in the terms of pleasure as we watch her, I just hate the thought of losing her.

With deep gratitude for any help ~

[Eileen M.]

I don't know anything about chickens but I sure do hope that your Henrietta is feeling better.

[aFlowerChild]

Our little chicken, Henrietta, is gone now.

We did manage to find a vet that both was opened on Sunday and would treat a chicken.

They took excellant care of her but she was too far gone. There was not much indication until mid-week and I do wish I had paid attention to my inner voice and taken her in then but even at that, she probably would not have made it.

it is impossible to describe here our affection for this little bird that followed us around the grounds as we worked and greeted our car when we came back home again. Four years of joy is what Henrietta brought to us. Regularly, we let her come into our kitchen. One particular day she decided to perch herself on one of the burners on our stove. I took a picture of it and mailed it to my daughter with the caption: "this is how we have chicken for dinner here"

I want to thank those of you who wrote to us publically and privately with your concerns, advice and caring.

We did wrap Henrietta in a towel and bring her inside as one person suggested. I held her often. In the end of it, I layed her down on a soft blanket and stayed near her. We feel that she knew we were with her.

Gosh, it is incredible the impact one little common animal can have.