Dealing with Loss of 1st Chicken

[Sally PB]

Just because it's "just a chicken" does not make the pain any less. The heart does not know the size, or the value, of the loved one lost. It only knows the size of the hole in the heart.

A beautiful way to say this.

Everyone you've lost has a special place in your heart. Others may not understand, but here on BYC, we all do. We're here to help, and also to lean on.

 

[furandfeatheredmomma7]

Losing chickens is never easy, especially the first time you lose one. I am sure she knows she was loved. I got mine thinking I was just gonna get lots of eggs and I was gonna save money (the opposite happened), instead I got beautiful creatures that have personality’s and spend there days waiting for you to walk out the door with a bowl full of snacks. I am sorry for you’re loss

I am so appreciative for all of you who took the time to read my post. I am grateful to have online birdlover friends who can understand the layers and depths of the feelings we have for them. ❤

 

[humblehillsfarm]

My boyfriend once asked me after I bawled over one of my chickens why do I still keep them if they make me so upset? Well, he makes me upset and I still keep him around because I love him!

The traumatic deaths are unfortunately inevitable. I witnessed a black bear kill two of my chickens before my eyes, and learned afterwards he ate another, leaving only a couple feathers behind. I think I cried for two days straight. I woke up ever 1.5 hours for three weeks to scope our property while carrying a gun waiting for the bear to come back. I was ready for a bear rug. Unfortunately he didn't come back. I actually raise meat chickens too, but they layer girls are different. They are my pets. One likes to cuddled. I've had her for three years!

Honestly the heartbreak will never go away. Chickens are sweet, silly, entertaining. They worm their way into our hearts for sure. There is NOTHING wrong with you. I can't even count on both hands how many times I've cried over my flock. The extent I've gone to to treat injuries, illnesses, ensure their safety, etc.. I even dream of predator attacks sometimes. There's nothing wrong with continuing to keep chickens through all of that heartache either.

I am so, so sorry you had to endure that traumatic loss. I wish I could say the worst is over but unfortunately predators are always a problem with chickens. Best you can do is take every single precaution you can to ensure it doesn't happen again. A covered run with hardware cloth, closing them in as soon as they all go in at night, a secure coop, electric fencing, security lights.

 

[furandfeatheredmomma7]

A beautiful way to say this.

Everyone you've lost has a special place in your heart. Others may not understand, but here on BYC, we all do. We're here to help, and also to lean on.

So happy I found this community. Thank you for your support and for letting me open up about this❤

 

[Mimi13]

Don’t beat yourself up, rather use all of your pent-up anger at yourself to fortify your coop so that this can never happen again.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but just because you’ve read on BYC where severely injured birds were rehabilitated, doesn’t necessarily mean that should be tried. I know that chickens are extremely resilient and seem to heal miraculously, but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel extreme pain. IMHO, being “a fighter” doesn’t always mean they should be used as a guinea pig to see if they can be brought back from the dead.

I am sorry for your loss, but I’m glad your girl isn’t suffering anymore.

 

[furandfeatheredmomma7]

Don’t beat yourself up, rather use all of your pent-up anger at yourself to fortify your coop so that this can never happen again.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but just because you’ve read on BYC where severely injured birds were rehabilitated, doesn’t necessarily mean that should be tried. I know that chickens are extremely resilient and seem to heal miraculously, but that doesn’t mean they don’t feel extreme pain. IMHO, being “a fighter” doesn’t always mean they should be used as a guinea pig to see if they can be brought back from the dead.

I am sorry for your loss, but I’m glad your girl isn’t suffering anymore.

I did what I could to make her comfortable and made the decision to give her a chance. Ultimately she went on her own accord after she ate some food and drank water. I do not regret fighting for her and am glad she is not in anymore pain and is at peace. I would argue to say most owners feel that if there is a chance they can at least make their girls comfy before making the decision to put them down or allow them to pass on their own. To say I am a bit vulnerable at this moment is an understatement but that does not mean I will accept the statement that I used her to perform some type of experiment. I did everything I could to help her, to pass judgment is not only in bad taste but this type of comment isn't even necessary. I hope in the future if you see a thread like this you choose not to spread salt on an already open wound.

 

[Mimi13]

I did what I could to make her comfortable and made the decision to give her a chance. Ultimately she went on her own accord after she ate some food and drank water. I do not regret fighting for her and am glad she is not in anymore pain and is at peace. I would argue to say most owners feel that if there is a chance they can at least make their girls comfy before making the decision to put them down or allow them to pass on their own. To say I am a bit vulnerable at this moment is an understatement but that does not mean I will accept the statement that I used her to perform some type of experiment. I did everything I could to help her, to pass judgment is not only in bad taste but this type of comment isn't even necessary. I hope in the future if you see a thread like this you choose not to spread salt on an already open wound.

No, no, never did I mean to imply you were experimenting. I was simply saying I’ve read where it was done, many times. Only the person taking care of the bird can know for sure whether they have a treatable wound or not, that is worth trying to heal. Sometimes the way I’ve seen it written makes the bird’s wounds sound utterly disastrous, however treatable in the eye of the owner. I just have a soft heart for the patient, in those circumstances.

I am not one who makes it a habit of condemning anyone, truly I’m not. However, whether it is a fault of my own or not, I am a realist, and I see things - and thus say things - as they are. I am very sorry for upsetting you and that was never my intention. Please accept my sincere apology.

 

[Allthefloofs]

If there is any group of people to talk to this about it's this group. I'm really sorry about your girl, it was a pet that you loved and cared for and a very traumatic way for her to go. You did the very best you could to help her and make her comfortable. One of our girls died in my arms as I desperately ran her into our Vet's office and it was something I will never forget. I cried for days about it. I am sorry you are hurting and sad, I understand it well. We get to know all their funny little quirks and we have very real relationships with them. After we lost our sweet Solo I knew that I would grieve the loss of any of our girls, her death really surprised me with how deeply I felt her loss. It was like a weird itch I couldn't scratch for a while, like I didn't know how to feel so sad for a pet I had only had for 8 months! I try pretty hard now to enjoy the time I have with all of our girls and look at it through the lens of being lucky that I have them and that they have me. They are living their best lives with me and I am so delighted by their antics and desire to be with me.
Virtual hugs in your direction. I know how much it hurts and really how surprising it is the first time a girl is lost.

 

[Asm610]

So sorry for your loss! You brought water to my eyes... Ive only had chickens for about 3 months..but have already grown to love them very much! More than my wifes cats..which I also love, but I find myself spending hrs with my small flock, just watching and talking to them. I dont know what Ill do when I eventually lose 1. But I know it will happen. Just know you gave her lots of love and care while she was in your life. God Bless and I pray the rest of your babies remain safe.

 

[Raeganmh02]

I am so sorry for your loss!! I know that feeling! I had my favorite chicken in the world die a year and a half ago and I still miss her! Right now I have some with a sickness and I’m going to have to put two of them down (for some reason I’m holding off as long as I can...I just feel so bad!) Before I had chickens, I never knew I could get so attached to the little feathered things! Know, they are my pets and I’m willing to do whatever I can to make them happy and keep them safe! Hang in there and just know that it isn’t your fault! You gave them a wonderful life and you should be proud of yourself for trying so hard. You gave her all your effort and love, and that is the best thing you could have done! The rest is up to God. I’m sure your chickens know how loved they are!