I guess I'm only here for comfort

[EmmaRainboe]

I have not been able to figure out why anybody in their right mind would have chickens. Obviously, I an not in my right mind, because I have 26 hens and pullets , a cockerel and a rooster. Yeasterday I had 27 hens and pullets. I don't have any idea whet happened to my sweet little Rainboe (yes, she was named after @EmmaRainboe) and was only 8 months old. When I went to close gates and doors last evening, I found her lying, not altogether peacefully, at the base of the old redbud tree. Food and water were close by and there was no sign of injury. Had she choked on something? It was not as hot today as it was all last week. She seemed fine that morning. I just don't know. Today I find I am not so much sad as mad. Perhaps this is how I grieve. I wasn't done with her yet, dammit! How dare Death come creeping into my turf and take something of mine without warning! Chickens actually HELP me stay in my right mind. They are so ... harmless. I just want to protect them, care for them, keep them safe.

I guess it's me I'm mad at. I failed her. I'm sorry, Rainboe.

Oh no!!! I'm so sorry Blue

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh no!!! I'm so sorry Blue

Thanks. I still have Emma! She's my #1 talkin' hen. She"beeps" all the time! Makes me laugh.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Hi. I found my one year old easter egger in the coop this morning, having died in the night. I understand it's a tale as old as time but its new to me and it hurts. She was a plucky, happy, vocal, sweet baby girl. It has been quite hot here - 80s/90s - and I have an industrial fan going for the girls, as well as ice cubes in their water, cold fruit and vegetables. I know there is no answer as to what happened to her. She was not quite right about two or three days prior to her passing, but nothing significant, you know, just not herself. She was eating enough, active enough. Yesterday I noticed her getting picked on by one of the other hens, which was strange, and I separated them to allow Bernie time to eat and relax. I woke up extra early this morning to make sure Bernadette had enough space right when she woke up to move about freely and have peace and enjoy some breakfast -- and truly, given the level of friction, I'm not sure anyone would have separated them - I'm just second guessing everything. Can we start a support group for people who are grieving? Most don't understand and it makes it layered and difficult to talk about. I lost one of my babies today.

Im so sorry for your loss. No one deserves to go through this, i promise you it will get better. No matter how much time passes, a heart will never fully heal the wound. But things will get better, i promise. I always try to think of it that i did what i could, and i loved them dearly, and thats what matters.

I hope you feel better soon, again, i am deeply sorry for the loss of your baby, and i completely understand your pain.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm sorry about Bernadette. Who knew these fluffy, feathery things could be do endearing? And you're right: some folks don't understand how much we grow to love them.

I've experienced my first losses recently, and it is heartbreaking. I lost Jess, my sweet rescued sexlink, and Bryony, my wacky Welsummer to reproductive infections. And I lost 2 chicks to shipping stress. And I have a duck who I just found out has internal laying. And my Orpington, Poppy, one if my first chickens, is declining for reasons unknown. I keep waiting for things to get back to a quiet normal, but it hasn't yet.

It will get better, though, and we'll be able to enjoy our others again. Keep loving on your flock and take comfort in them.

 

[Chicken poppy]

OP, i think its a wonderful idea to start a support group, so i did. I hope you don’t mind.
Here it is. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/grieving-animal-support-group.1538532/

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm sorry about Bernadette. Who knew these fluffy, feathery things could be do endearing? And you're right: some folks don't understand how much we grow to love them.

I've experienced my first losses recently, and it is heartbreaking. I lost Jess, my sweet rescued sexlink, and Bryony, my wacky Welsummer to reproductive infections. And I lost 2 chicks to shipping stress. And I have a duck who I just found out has internal laying. And my Orpington, Poppy, one if my first chickens, is declining for reasons unknown. I keep waiting for things to get back to a quiet normal, but it hasn't yet.

It will get better, though, and we'll be able to enjoy our others again. Keep loving on your flock and take comfort in them.

I've had chickens for over ten years, so I've had my share of losses , mostly to the occasional predator (coyote, stray dog, hawk, raccoon), and once or twice to simple old age. I've also had a few processed, so I'm no stranger to the fact that chickens live relatively short lives. But Rainboe, well. For one thing, I don't normally name my birds. Her little flock was different in that they all got names. They were EE, and I could actually tell all 8 of them apart. That was fun and made them special. But I think what hit me hardest is simply not knowing what she died of. It was a bit of a shock, and worries me. I'm going to miss her.

 

[Chicken poppy]

I've had chickens for over ten years, so I've had my share of losses , mostly to the occasional predator (coyote, stray dog, hawk, raccoon), and once or twice to simple old age. I've also had a few processed, so I'm no stranger to the fact that chickens live relatively short lives. But Rainboe, well. For one thing, I don't normally name my birds. Her little flock was different in that they all got names. They were EE, and I could actually tell all 8 of them apart. That was fun and made them special. But I think what hit me hardest is simply not knowing what she died of. It was a bit of a shock, and worries me. I'm going to miss her.

Im so sorry

 

[Chicken poppy]

I'm sorry about Bernadette. Who knew these fluffy, feathery things could be do endearing? And you're right: some folks don't understand how much we grow to love them.

I've experienced my first losses recently, and it is heartbreaking. I lost Jess, my sweet rescued sexlink, and Bryony, my wacky Welsummer to reproductive infections. And I lost 2 chicks to shipping stress. And I have a duck who I just found out has internal laying. And my Orpington, Poppy, one if my first chickens, is declining for reasons unknown. I keep waiting for things to get back to a quiet normal, but it hasn't yet.

It will get better, though, and we'll be able to enjoy our others again. Keep loving on your flock and take comfort in them.

Oh no! Im sorry. I hope things get better aswell.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Im so sorry

Thank you.