I've just checked what would happen if I try to put a character bound enchant in it, and yes, it warns me, that in that case the item is going to turn into character bound as well. As I checked mine, I didn't have a character bound enchant in it, but in the past I might had one. That must be the solution if support says…
Agreed. It's not only luck, but luck in luck in luck in luck kind of thing, or something. Worst as you say is when you're unlucky in the end. Some kind of bad luck protection would be the best solution I guess, or yes, guaranteed T2, T3 drops.
I don't know the exact reason. Last time this had happened, we didn't have 2 chickens, but we had other active companions indeed. The interesting thing is that not the pillar which companions were hitting broke but the one I hit alone.