Heartache of chicken keeping

[Taylermartin]

I have been a chicken keeper for only 5 years. I love these girls like crazy. I want to be able to help them anytime I can when they are injured or sick. It's been a full year since my last girl passed until last night. We culled our sick girl that had been on and off sick for a year. I'm pretty sure she had EYP. I tried everything and nothing seemed to get her better after multiple medications. Each time one passes I feel like I'm not cut out for this anymore, my emotions are too present. I can't help but think I shouldn't keep anymore. Does anyone else ever get these feelings?

 

[SimplePleasuresPoultry]

I think we all get those feelings sometimes. I am sorry about your lost girl, it always hurts, especially when you love them like pets. I have a boy in my brooder that I brought inside from being picked on (he's about 16 weeks and the girls are about 20'ish weeks) I thought he would be fine, nope. The girls are not fans of his. So I have been babying the crap out of him and trying to pick a friend for him to have inside until he recoups. These chickens have literally become part of the family. I definitely understand what you are going through and go through the same emotions. Just know that the life you are giving them is probably a heck of a lot better than they would have had elsewhere, and they feel the love you have for them. They are such sweet empathetic creatures. I know I get discouraged sometimes, but then I think about life without them and I can't even fathom it. I don't think most people understand how much of a connection we can get to them, until you loose one. I always worry that there was something else I could have done or something preventative that I didn't do. Don't be too hard on yourself. Sometimes they just don't survive. No matter how much love and care you give them. Hugs and prayers as you deal with her loss. We are all with you!!

 

[SkyAJK]

I am very sorry for your loss

The heartache is so much.......if you could bring yourself to think of the lovely times you had with your little hen, the love she gave you, the looked when you cared for her.......

She lived a good life and a life of so much love.

They only have a short time with us, so love them while we have them with us.

I still remember and my heart still ache for all of my passed away chickens - individually.

Remember all the wonderful time and love you had with her.