Arizona Chickens

[ArizonaNessa]

Awww your welcome and I am glad she's doing a good job for you.

As some of you know I have some special needs chickens and one of them is an EE with crazy feathers. She has the feathers of a sebastapol (sp?) goose but she's definitely chicken. I have always known something was wrong with her and that she wouldn't live as long as the other but who cares she's great. So today I went out to give treats and I saw her laying over in the corner alone and still. I knew she was dead and I was expecting it so it's okay. I picked her up and she was trying to hold on. I figure all this rain and cold got to her. I called Mark over and told him it was time and he took her and decided to set her in the sun to die in peace and warmth. An hour later I went over and she was trying to move a little and I figured it was just that last little burst of energy just before they pass on. I left her to be in the sun. I went to the feed store and came home. The clouds were moving in and I went to see that she was passed on. I didn't want to leave her body in the rain. I turned the corner and what did I see? She was looking up at me, walking around pretty as you please. So I set her up a heat lamp and a quiet place for the night. I know she won't last much longer but it was like she tried so hard just so she could say, "Thank you for setting me in the sun when I couldn't get there myself." She's not sickly or suffering so please don't suggest that I medicate her. She is special and the Lord just made her different.

Thanks for letting me share.

Edited to say: I think there is something wrong with her heart because ever since she was tiny you can feel it beating. Not normal like.

 

[LarryPQ]

Sad day at our house. I sent Ender to go get the eggs, and I noticed my blue silkie pullet had died. She was laying in the nesting box she liked to sleep in. She must have died in the night, because the stupid other chickens had laid eggs on her. Thankfully, Ender didn't see. I am not sure how to explain it to him: he'll definately notice she's gone, and it is our first mortality.

She had been dragging a few weeks ago, so I treated everyone and gave her a heat lamp. (Her brood mates are all australorps, & they had started roosting) I got in the habit of carrying her around while I was outside, and feeding her eggs and extra treats. The DH was jealous, so he made it his job. Just yesterday, he told me she was his favorite.

I am not sure why she died: her weight was good and she didn't look or feel dehydrated. I am betting it got just a little bit too cold last night.

The Baroness Von Poofenstien

It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

So sorry for your loss. When dealing with these things and children I have always had a rule not to lie or make up pretend stories. They are smarter than we give them credit for sometimes and be sure they will figure you out. I always just tell the truth but on their level. It is a fact of life although it is a hard one to learn about. I don't know how old your child is but maybe it would help to have a little ceremony of some sort in your hens honor so that there is no confusion. Answer the questions as honestly as you can without being harsh and I am sure all will work out. I often work our religious beliefs into my explanations. You may want to do the same. Just my thoughts...

 

[LarryPQ]

I don't plan on hiding anything from Ender (4). It won't be his first experience with death, I just didn't want him to see her all stiff and curled in an unnartural position. There is a difference between a learning experience and giving him nightmares for a few weeks

 

[Sock Puppet]

Laree, sorry to hear about your loss. My little ones have had those life lessons as well. Not fun, but its something they need to experience.

Nessie, glad to hear that you get a little more time with yours.

They sure do worm their way into your hearts.

 

[Mahonri]

Sorry you lost your Silkie.

We have too many irons in the fire tonight and I'm staying home with one son, waiting for another to arrive and DW and DD went up to the concert for my two other sons.

I've really got to sell some roos...

If I don't sell them by the end of the month, I have a friend with a big lot in Mesa that will take them.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Quote:
Oh I didn't mean to show him or anything. I just meant in the explanation. I didn't like for my son to see things like that either when he was that age.

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
What I have left:

2 BWA X White Leghorns. These guys are going to be BIG. Pea comb, no muffs or beard. They are white with red/gold/brown leakage on the wings. I may just eat them in a couple of weeks.

1 Giant Partridge Cochin X Salmon Faverolle: looks dinosourish

1 non typical Blue Wheaten Ameraucana... came out of a blue egg that came from an Ameraucana Breeder in WA. There were feathers on it's leg and it has no muffs or beard but it's real pretty.

4 French Black Copper Marans. 2 of which have webbed toes, 1 of which has no feathers on it's feet.

5 Wheaten Ameraucanas. 3 are real lookers, 2 are pet quality... and may actually be BWA X Splash.

Then I have my year old Golden Cuckoo Maran roo that I would sell with its mate.. she lays JUMBO dark brown eggs.

So that's 14!

I'm only keeping two Blue Wheaten roos. The best one will stay, the other will be sold, but I won't determine who gets to stay on until June or July.
And I'm keeping one of the real nice French Black Coppers.

Sad that out of that huge hatch on New Years I only got FIVE W/BW pullets (1 of which I will eventually sell cuz it's legs are too light) and 5 FBCM pullets. (1 of which I can't breed because of it's toes)

 

[dofnup]

Hey guys, I was driving to work today and heard this segment on cross-gendered chickens!! Thought I'd share:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124529630&ps=cprs

 

[LarryPQ]

Quote:
Oh I didn't mean to show him or anything. I just meant in the explanation. I didn't like for my son to see things like that either when he was that age.

I know--I appreciate the advice.

RRR-You can tell how nerdy a person is by what they name their kids, or by the fact they recognize things like, "A man (roo) named Jayne", or when they ask coworkers in NC if their email address [email protected] is a refrence to Star Trek. Yeah, that's how I roll.