Flora, my heart is broken

[joyce_huang]

I know you are especially hurt and saddened by the thought that Flora was in severe pain and terror as she died. It took me a while to look up a few passages that I hope will bring you a little peace. It's something I took to heart years ago when a mink killed three of my chickens and a duck.

In explorer and medical missionary David Livingstone's 1857 biography, he wrote of being viciously attacked by a lion that "shook me as a terrier dog does a rat." Livingstone sustained a compound bone fracture, blood loss from 11 lacerations and subsequent infection.

Livingstone said the sudden attack produced "a shock similar to that which seems to be felt by a mouse after the first shake of the cat." There was, he wrote, "no sense of pain or feeling of terror ... this peculiar state is probably produced by all animals killed by carnivora." Livingstone called it a "merciful provision" for "lessening the pain of death."

I sincerely hope he was -- and some modern researchers are -- right, that animals as well as people are allowed to experience a stress-related, biochemical altered state that protects them from unimaginable fear and pain. I hope Flora felt that protection.

Indeed I was imagining again and again her pain and suffering in that fatal moment, felt her extreme pain almost kill me. She was so dear to my heart!!! She would be 4 years old short of one month. A beautiful life was vut short by such an unfathomable event. Thank you so much for posting this, hopefully she didn't feel too much pain.

 

[joyce_huang]

I'm sorry for your loss. She was so pretty and sounds like she was well loved.

Thank you. Still grieving, she was my sweetheart.

 

[joyce_huang]

I'm so sorry for your loss of flora
Its always heartbreaking to lose a well-loved chicken, and it sounds like you gave her an amazing and happy life.

She was a happy and loved. Thank you.

 

[joyce_huang]

Losing beautiful Flora in such a sudden and brutal way is unimaginably horrible. You gave her a life full of love, and she gave you joy in return. No wonder your heart is breaking.

Flora was an incredible girl, one tough hen who survived more than any chicken should have to. Her life was cut short, but it was an amazing life by any other measure.

I am so sorry.

She suffered too much. And I loved her dearly she was a very special girl. Thank you for your kind words. I am still mourning her, and will be for a long time. so sad

 

[joyce_huang]

So sorry to hear about Flora!

Thank you

 

[McChooky]

The only chickens I've ever lost were 2 (1) year old hens who wandered too far.Whatever got them carried both of them far away because we didn't see or hear anything.I'm sorry for your loss and hope you don't lose anymore chickens

 

[StinkyAcres]

So sorry for your loss, @joyce_huang. Flora sounds like she was such a special little hen.

I know you are especially hurt and saddened by the thought that Flora was in severe pain and terror as she died. It took me a while to look up a few passages that I hope will bring you a little peace. It's something I took to heart years ago when a mink killed three of my chickens and a duck.

In explorer and medical missionary David Livingstone's 1857 biography, he wrote of being viciously attacked by a lion that "shook me as a terrier dog does a rat." Livingstone sustained a compound bone fracture, blood loss from 11 lacerations and subsequent infection.

Livingstone said the sudden attack produced "a shock similar to that which seems to be felt by a mouse after the first shake of the cat." There was, he wrote, "no sense of pain or feeling of terror ... this peculiar state is probably produced by all animals killed by carnivora." Livingstone called it a "merciful provision" for "lessening the pain of death."

I sincerely hope he was -- and some modern researchers are -- right, that animals as well as people are allowed to experience a stress-related, biochemical altered state that protects them from unimaginable fear and pain. I hope Flora felt that protection.

Thank you for sharing this.

 

[joyce_huang]

The only chickens I've ever lost were 2 (1) year old hens who wandered too far.Whatever got them carried both of them far away because we didn't see or hear anything.I'm sorry for your loss and hope you don't lose anymore chickens

 

[joyce_huang]

Thanks. Losing a hen is always a devastating thing. Flora to me was more like a pet, a companion, a little friend. She was so special.

 

[joyce_huang]

So sorry for your loss, @joyce_huang. Flora sounds like she was such a special little hen.


Thank you for sharing this.

Thank you. Yes, she was very special. She liked to get into the house staying either in her own spot whrre i put some blanket just for her, or sleep in my arms. She enjoyed me holding her. She spent a lot of time with me indoors and often she perched on top of a cabinet at nights. She even laid eggs in my bedroom in a pile of clothes. I missed her so much!