Bianca, the sweetest hen

[MaeM]

I chose Bianca over 45 baby chicks back in February 2021.

There were so many, and they all looked cute, but she promptly showed me that she was special. I put my hand into the run; some chicks came over but went away after they saw I had no food in my hand. However, Bianca stayed. I caressed her little head and she closed her eyes. "I'm taking this one," I said.

Soon we became best friends.

But I figured that perhaps she needed a friend of her species - so I got her a sister.

Soon, they became best friends, too.

In fact, Bianca became friends with everyone she met.

Humans...

... Or chickens.

But, as you already know, life is unfair.

Bianca got seriously sick last June. Many people helped me save her at that time: three different vets, friends who offered me money to pay for these vets, my partner who helped me grab her every 12 hours each day to give her oral medication, my mom who overcame her fear to beaks to help me give her injections... and, of course, your valuable advice and support here at BYC.

But, as you already know, life is unfair, and Bianca's unknown disease is still there. I don't know what it is, I don't know what it's going to happen. All I know is that I love this hen more than I thought I'd ever love a pet chicken. She's been my solace all this time - but now, she is the one in need. And I don't believe in God, but if God really needs another angel up there, I just hope she doesn't suffer.

I will, unavoidably.

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Wishing Bianca many more good days! She's a lovely hen with a lovely personality. Sending good energy to both of you.

 

[MaeM]

The weather is hotter and drier and that helps Bianca feel better. And she is using her renewed athletic abilities to jump on people! Here, you can see her playing videogames with my partner.

Bianca has tracheal stenosis, and it kind of works like human asthma. Humidity makes it harder for her to breathe, especially if she tries to run or chase her sister when she finds a bug.

If she does too much exercise, she ends up needing an oral bronchodilator to recover. But now that spring has come to the southern hemisphere, I can't remember the last time I had to medicate her.

Thank you for the good wishes, she has received them!

 

[MaeM]

It's summer now, and Bianca has been having trouble enduring heatwaves.

I took her to a checkup just in case. She is, indeed, affected by the heat because she can't pant like a hen with heat stress would normally do.

But she also has reduced lung capacity. It's not only her trachea - it's also her left lung.

This has helped the vet narrow down her possible diagnosis.

Tumors. She has tumors pressing on her trachea and probably her lung.

She was probably a victim of an oncogenic virus, such as Marek's disease virus or avian leukosis virus.

We don't have tests to know exactly which one, but it wouldn't make a difference at this point.

It doesn't matter.

I asked the vet: "So is she dying?".

He said: "Honestly, I don't know. Bianca's case is special. She should've died back in June. Birds don't normally survive pneumonias like the one she had in June. They don't normally survive Marek's disease or retroviruses this long. But she got adapted. And I don't know how much time she can live like this. As long as she is interested in treats, I guess, I wouldn't worry that much".

So I went out of the clinic with the weirdest feeling. There were no good news and no bad news either.

When I came back home, my bf was having a snack in the backyard.

As soon as I let Bianca go, she jumped on his chair and asked for his cookie.

Thank God, she is still interested in treats.

 

[TwoCrows]

Bianca is a wonderful gal! Judging from her comb color, she does indeed have a failing heart. They can go years with a weakened heart, Bianca seems to be doing well!!

 

[MaeM]

Last week, Bianca was feeling unwell because she had a reproductive crisis. One of her soft-shelled eggs broke inside her, she got an inflammation "down there", and she couldn't poop properly.

She also wasn't very interested in food... So I took her to a family lunch. Maybe my mom's food would stimulate her appetite?

Spoiler: it did.

 

[MaeM]

I did a party hat for Bianca, lol.

It's not even her birthday, but as a chronically ill hen, every day is a gift for her (and for me). So we celebrate life.

 

[TwoCrows]

View attachment 3462773

I did a party hat for Bianca, lol.

It's not even her birthday, but as a chronically ill hen, every day is a gift for her (and for me). So we celebrate life.

 

[MaeM]

Last night, Bianca died in her sleep. She died peacefully. She didn't suffer, like I wanted it to be - like she deserved it to be. I just didn't want it to happen this soon.

Or perhaps it's quite late, if you take into account that she should've died exactly two years ago.

I spent a lot of money in the vet but I "bought" her two wonderful years. I regret nothing of what I did for her. She was so, so loved and happy in spite of her condition.

She lived a life that not many other chickens can live in this world. She was free, she knew the grass, she could dust bathe, she could sun bathe. She ate delicious treats and got help when she needed it, even after she stopped laying eggs.

I'm heartbroken, but I can't grieve right now. I'm taking care of one of her friends who (apparently) has Coriza. Maybe she got it, too, and because she was chronically ill with this respiratory issue, she just didn't make it. I don't know. I don't care. All I know is that she's gone. And wherever she is... she doesn't need a bronchodilator anymore.

Rest in peace, my baby.