I am so sorry for your loss. I absolutely understand. I have two hens out of my entire flock that are the sweetest, most friendly, loveable and yes, cuddly even. These girls are my pets, and I'd have to take Xanex for a month if anything were to happen to them. I love them so much that I worry about them unnecessarily. Then there's my serama. I have have loved and lost some of my favorite chickens, and it's just as hard on me as if I had lost the family dog or cat. You're right, only a chicken lover would understand.
who am i kidding im soooooooo sorry dear... this is off topic but i had a hen and she died and my lil'sister had a cute little burial for her and got me to sing amazing grace for the hen and the others just wonderd over and i would have sworn they were crying... im sorry bout the lil gal...
We had to put our favorite chicken down on Friday and I have been crying off and on since then. Non-chicken people don't understand that they have individual personality traits and that you can get just as attached to them as any other pet. I'm sorry for your loss and I hope you have a better day tomorrow. There are people who understand your pain and understand it very well.
Thank you all for your kind words. I have told people we lost a chicken and they have almost laughed in my face. Now when I am asked why I am sad I just say I we had to euthanize a pet. She was a pet and not a farm animal. I understand that some people keep chickens as farm animals and some keep them for pets. They all get good care if you are a good person. It is just that people who keep them as farm animals don't fall in love with them and treat them as a pet. The people at the vets office were a little incredulous that I had a pet chicken, but in trooped me, my husband, my two little boys and our chicken in her pet carrier. I guess I don't care what people think of me anymore. I am so glad there are people like you all who replied to this thread who do understand how very nice and sweet chickens can be and how you can get very attached to each of them when you only have a few. It is so hard to come to that decision to end their life when you know them each individually. I am going to spend some extra time with the rest of the girls tomorrow. I do wonder if they miss her? She was the shyest and at the bottom of the pecking order.
I better go to bed. I slept so terribley last night. Thanks again. Dawn
I am sorry for your loss. If you had told me a year ago that you missed your chicken I would have understood some, being a pet lover, but now I really know. I still mourn over the loss of the chickens I have lost and have been fortunate to have people around me who understand what it's like to have pets (family). They are special creatures that touch our hearts and always are happy to see us. The chickens I have had did notice the missing, but only for a day or so. Even the ones that seemed real close got over it quicker than I would have thought. many hugs and here is a bunch of people that know how you feel.