Thank you, everybody. Yes, it is hard. Hard on my boys. (ages 5 and 8) and hard on me. But you're right, it is part of life, and we knew when we bought the chicks that there's always a possibility that one or 2 might not survive for one reason or another. We wanted 8 hens, so we bought 10 chicks, just to be sure.
My sweet hubby in consideration of the emotions his wife and young children are going through, decided not to "just dispose" of the chick, but instead, he made a tiny little wooden coffin. He lined it with a paper towel, and another rolled up piece of paper towel for a pillow, and we gently laid Truffles in the coffin and he buried her out back so the boys have a "grave" to visit.
I know it's just a bird, and she was in our home for all of just 2 days.... but the boys do get attached, and obviously I did too... so it was a loving gesture which really helped our grieving process. The boys are enjoying all the other chicks now, and most of them have been named. They've spent the day playing with and "taming" the chicks to walk up their arms, and stand on their shoulders.... they give them 5 minute tours around the house and then return them to the box for warmth. The chicks seem to LOVE all the attention, and the boys are thrilled with them.
ChickenTenderJo, I do hope you have other chicks as well that your boy can play with and raise
if needed... but I pray your chick does make it. My heart is pulling for you and yours!
KatieSue
