Chicken tidbitting at owner

[Elle111]

Cute. Lots of options, but I think I'll wait for now. Still missing my girl too much. 12 years is a long time, and she was half house chicken, so always around.

 

[Elle111]

I'm so sad I'm almost at the point of calling in sick for work. Has anyone else experienced this with their favourite/last remaining/most awesome hen dying? It's ridiculous, and I wonder how long I will feel this way...

 

[Callender Girl]

It's not ridiculous. Losing a beloved companion -- regardless of species -- hurts to our very core. Someone who was part of our daily life is gone, a relationship of years is over, and no one else can totally understand the grief.

It sounds trite, I know, but healing takes time. At first, the grief is overwhelming, and it will come and go in waves, just like when we lose a human companion. But one day, it will hurt just a little less. And, a little less after that.

That doesn't mean you didn't love or won't still miss your girl. She was incredible, and you were lucky to share so many years with her.

The worst thing about having animal companions is having to outlive them, to make sure they are loved until their very last moment, like your sweet silkie.

 

[Elle111]

Gosh, you made my cry again, and you're right, of course. I've been through it with both human and animal loss, as has almost everyone. It just feels so awful in the thick of it, and no matter how many times you go through it, you always seem to forget just how awful. Thanks for understanding.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

Bantam Cochins

Yep, what he said.

 

[4Quacks]

Thank you, it's sort of automatic for me, I'm afraid. Still in doubt if I want chickens again. Maybe a different breed? Can you recommend any docile, sweet breeds? I know there's plenty of suggestions out there, but not everyone agrees

I recommend Leghorns, I have 6 and they are so sweet and friendly.

 

[redinator]

I'm so sad I'm almost at the point of calling in sick for work. Has anyone else experienced this with their favourite/last remaining/most awesome hen dying? It's ridiculous, and I wonder how long I will feel this way...

It's no different than losing a cat or dog, or other more conventional pet. I haven't lost my favorite girl yet (8 months and raising her own chicks currently) , and I hope it'll be awhile before I do, but I expect I'll be a sobbing mess for days when the time comes.

 

[centrarchid]

I'm reminiscing about my silkie that recently passed... One of the things she did was tidbitting when I came home and she seemed happy I was back. She tilted her body to one side, threw sticks and branches on the ground, clucking very loudly. It went on for quite a while). Anyone recognize this?

I have even juvenile pullets do that when kept singly. I think it is a means of getting me to approach even when the signal is not honest in reference something like a patch of food. When I put out little piles of live meal worms where a broody hen and chicks are foraging and a chick comes across the pile, then the chick will do the tidbit call to siblings and I think mom even though she more likely than not will not partake. The piles need to be more than what the finder chick can readily consume alone.

 

[Debbie292d]

I'm so sad I'm almost at the point of calling in sick for work. Has anyone else experienced this with their favourite/last remaining/most awesome hen dying? It's ridiculous, and I wonder how long I will feel this way...

I have lost my share of pets through the years, and the ones that were my pals I grieved more for than many humans I've attended funerals for.

 

[Elle111]

It's no different than losing a cat or dog, or other more conventional pet. I haven't lost my favorite girl yet (8 months and raising her own chicks currently) , and I hope it'll be awhile before I do, but I expect I'll be a sobbing mess for days when the time comes.

Yes, I'm afraid you will be. It's just as hard as losing my dog was.