Poultry Ownership and Dealing with Loss (From a Tenderhearted Farmer)

I have had a lot of loss with all our poultry. But it's the quality of life and the exception that predators are all part of poultry ownership. I try my hardest to be very aware while they free range...but the inevitable will most definitely happen at some point or another. At least they had a great life for a chicken/turkey/duck while they are here.

Thank you for sharing this piece as I am among the many here who can relate to your story. Writing from the heart is a good way for self expression and connection. I’m not perfect but I love editing, spelling, grammar, etc. so keep up the good work there as well!

A solid and heartfelt argument as to why a "tender-hearted" backyard chicken keeper shouldn't let the possibility of loss, with all the pain that goes with it, necessarily deter them from keeping a flock.

Good solid informative argument, thanks

Our journey into Chicken Keeping has been an emotional experience. Tenderhearted Farmer reminds us of the joy and the sorrow of raising such loved birds. We have lost 6 of our original flock that we began this summer due to multiple reasons from birth defects to disease and injury. I hurt for the loss of each unique friend, but mostly for my partner in poultry, my granddaughter. The sentiments expressed in the article echo our own beliefs that there is a silver lining that each bird was loved and cared for to the best of our ability making our experience worth while for us and our feathered friends. Thank you for giving us the words to explain that loss and sorrow are not failure, the silver lining was each day with us was a day of comfort and love.

This could not have been written better. I have a friend that because of the fear of predators keeps his hens pen in the coop and run 24/7 - 365 days a year. Seeing the joy in my flock when I open the door to the run and let them out into the backyard makes it worth the risk. My flock is so much happier and I can see it in them. Also the screaming to be let out comment mind do that as well. When they see me walking out the back door they all just wait at the run door, as soon as I open it they will fight over any cricket that has gotten stuck up between the door and frame then take to the yard in joy. I know I have done my best to protect my flock and deter predators both air and ground and that is the best I can do. Thanks for this article.

Great article and thank you for writing it. This is our first time raising chickens and our babies are 8 weeks old and 3 weeks old. We hatched all 17 of them. I have always wanted to have chickens but was surprised at how much we love them. They have won our hearts in such a short time. We built what we hope is Ft. Knox but I know at some point we will probably lose one. It terrifies me to think of it. Your article was really well written and heartfelt. Thank you.

I love your article. That is exactly how i feel regarding my flock. I am always apprehensive that I will loose one of them, so I count heads every night. Still when tempted to keep them locked up in the run, I remind myself how wonderfully happy, natural, and real life is to them when they are free roaming all over the place. Not to mention how more tastier their eggs are! So far, and I knock on wood not to jinx me, I have my entire flock of 23. Mixed heritage breeds, which include to magnificent roosters to herd them and protect them. Also, two guinea hens that provide warning in case of danger. And a pair of beautiful African Geese that are great watch dogs. I do have the run and coop under a canopy of trees which will stop any bird of prey from sweeping in and grab one. I do hope all the time they will be safe. Thank you for a great article.

What a lovely perspective on owning, raising and ultimately loving such a high risk animal.

Knowing so much can, and probably will go wrong it's wonderful to think about the life they're getting in the meantime. Yes, I'm now a crazy chicken lady! Yes, I love these goofy girls like pets! Yes, my husband now recognizes the crazy with a quiet resignation! But at the end of each day I feel pride as I put our beautiful, freshly washed eggs away and joy when I say goodnight to my girls.

I get to have joy every day and as a result, so will they!

That was perfectly said. I made it to the end before tears started forming! So very true about it always seeming to be the most loved chicken that gets killed.

Thank you so much, I needed this article today. I love the words you ended with.

Very sensitive, reassuring, and heart-felt. Thank you so much.

Healthy slant on a worry for me. I will keep this wisdom in my head and heart.

This is my first year raising my girls, only 4 allowed within city limits. They have grown & thrived, and have become part of our family. I live in the central valley of California, yesterday was particularly hot, 102, but I have them located in a shaded area of the yard, with a large tarp in addition for extra shade. They received cold watermelon and cabbage in the am, and when my 11 yr old granddaughter went out to give them a second helping of watermelon early afternoon, she found Henny Penny in the nesting box, dead. We are sadden and Emmy is heartbroken. We have raised these girls from 8 wk chicks and have tried to be responsible parents. We had a long hot spell last year that they pulled thru just fine, so not sure if it was the heat that got our girl or what? She had laid her egg (we counted 4 eggs for the day) so she didn't have a blockage. Any ideas of why this could have happen? She seemed perfectly fine in the AM. I keep a 2.5 gallon water jug full for them, so plenty of water on hand. Thanks for any advice you can share...

Thanks for the article.

Very good! So sorry for what happened! But you’re right, at least she was loved while she lived. And surely she knew it!