Coping with my loss - it has to get better, right?

[kmwright]

I should start off by saying this was my first flock, and I've never lost a pet before.

3 of my chicks were killed yesterday by my neighbors dog. Long story, but she's been fined by the city and we are not speaking anymore.

So, I have been crying on and off for the past two days. I look at the spots they were buried in the yard and I cry. I feed the one who made it out okay and when she comes running to me, I see the others in my memory and I cry. I loved them so much, they were sweet babies that I raised from little itty bittys and I'm just crushed.

I brought 3 new pullets to the flock and it's just not the same. I miss the others. I don't know if I'm cut out for this chicken business!

 

[nuts4chickens]

Sorry you lost your birds. It's never easy to lose a pet. You'll grow to love the new ones, too... I promise. Hang in there!

 

[easttxchick]

I'm so sorry this happened to you.

It's so tough to lose your pets(especially like that).
I know you miss them, but please give your new babies a chance.

 

[justbugged]

Unfortunately losses are are part of owning chickens. Soon or later everyone looses their favorite, or best laying hen, or just day old chicks. It is something that all of us have to consider. Chickens in my opinion are not a good starter pet. That is why dogs and cats are better options.

It is really hard to put the work into the birds, and have someone else's irresponsibility ruin what you have come to love. The grief will lesson with time, and at some point you will be come more capable of dealing with losses. This is a good opportunity to start dealing with the concept of death. Nobody has ever gotten out of life alive yet. I know that some of these things can considered mean to say, but they are real.

It is okay to remember your first chickens with love for the rest of your life. Pleas keep your chickens just because this hurts a lot right now, there are going to be others that you will love. If you give up now, you will never learn the things that everyone learns sooner or later. Trust me it is a lot easier to loose a chicken than an important person in your life.


I am very sorry for your loss, and I wish you all the best.

 

[jjparke]

Quote:
Seems like it actually happens quite a bit. You should probably get used to it. I lost 22 in one night to a pair of foxes. That was brutal. I hope you have better luck in the future.