Lost my favorite hen & am terribly sad

[FunkyChickenButt]

It’s an interesting thing to raise chickens and know that they aren’t like other ‘pets’ given they don’t live as long and have predators who want to eat them at every turn. I have been telling myself that often during the three years I’ve had chickens, and it doesn’t make loses any easier. I finally just lost my favorite hen, Sylvia at 3 years old. I’m not sure what happened—I found her laying down in the coop after she was broody for a couple days. She had randomly started crowing a week or two before so not sure if the two are linked.

Sylvia was my best girl and a sweet friend to me. I once pulled her out of a dog’s mouth, rescued her from a homeless man who stole her and my other hen for 7 days, and have had her as I moved to three different houses. She was the only one of my three chickens that would jump up on my shoulder to hang out regardless of whether I had food or not. I’m so sad that she’s gone and don’t want to set myself up to experience the many more losses that are bound to happen when raising chickens. I love animals, and love having chickens. It just breaks my heart to have to go through this and know it will happen 6 more times while I raise this new flock. I don’t know if any of the other losses will be quite as hard as this one though.

Just a random rant to say I’m very sad to lose my friend. It’s tough not having anyone in my personal life who has chickens and understands the heartbreaking but inevitable nature of raising “livestock” type animals. Attaching some pictures here in memorial of sweet Sylvia.

 

[Sir Sacabambaspis]

I feel for you, I have a rooster named Darcy and he is separated from the main flock and one day he escaped and almost died when his own father tried to kill him. He hid in the feed room where when was bleeding out really bad and when I when to check on the chickens as I normally do he tried to run out to see me, but he was very weak and I started crying at how bloody he was. His comb was all cut up and he had feathers everywhere and I was scared for his life so I immediately went inside to go get the first aid kit after locking him in his little pen area. When I came outside he was in even worse condition and I luckily saved him by raping some large cast like bandaids around him and got his comb clean and put some disinfectant spray on it. And he also made a full recovery. I'm soooo sorry about Sylvia and nay she rest in peace.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Sorry for your loss. Sylvia may have been egg bound. It's always hard to lose animals. Hugs.

 

[Debnsync]

It’s an interesting thing to raise chickens and know that they aren’t like other ‘pets’ given they don’t live as long and have predators who want to eat them at every turn. I have been telling myself that often during the three years I’ve had chickens, and it doesn’t make loses any easier. I finally just lost my favorite hen, Sylvia at 3 years old. I’m not sure what happened—I found her laying down in the coop after she was broody for a couple days. She had randomly started crowing a week or two before so not sure if the two are linked.

Sylvia was my best girl and a sweet friend to me. I once pulled her out of a dog’s mouth, rescued her from a homeless man who stole her and my other hen for 7 days, and have had her as I moved to three different houses. She was the only one of my three chickens that would jump up on my shoulder to hang out regardless of whether I had food or not. I’m so sad that she’s gone and don’t want to set myself up to experience the many more losses that are bound to happen when raising chickens. I love animals, and love having chickens. It just breaks my heart to have to go through this and know it will happen 6 more times while I raise this new flock. I don’t know if any of the other losses will be quite as hard as this one though.

Just a random rant to say I’m very sad to lose my friend. It’s tough not having anyone in my personal life who has chickens and understands the heartbreaking but inevitable nature of raising “livestock” type animals. Attaching some pictures here in memorial of sweet Sylvia.

Oh no that is so hard. I am truly sad to read your sweet notes and glad that you shared Sylvia’s life story. I’ve grieved the two most beloved hens we lost when we were somewhat naive letting them free-ranging without 100% close watch over the little flock. Now we “babysit” them during our outdoor work-time, keeping them closeby while gardening and doing various chores. BYC has been my go-to ever since we started to raise our little flock of baby RIR’s when seeking advice, and maybe sharing our own knowledge. There are many informed, kind people here and surely many followers do understand what you must be going through. My first girlie to go broody is now into her 5th day on her nest and know that I am thinking of your girl. One never knows what new stages may bring. Take care!

 

[Callender Girl]

I lost a special hen yesterday, so I understand that you're truly grieving the loss of a friend. Sylvia sounds like an amazing girl, and she certainly was a beauty!

You've hit on one of the sad truths of having chickens, or any critters really. We will likely outlive all of them. And, honestly, I don't know what I would want them to survive me. Who would love them and take care of them as well as I do?

You clearly gave Sylvia the best life you possibly could. Thank you for sharing her existence with us. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[TwoCrows]

It's definitely heartbreaking to lose our birds, of course it's always our favorites too. They certainly have a way of burrowing deeply into our hearts and nesting there. My heart goes out to all who have lost their best friends.