My dear sweet Sugar passed away today please help me.

[Moochie]

I lost her to the heat, she couldn't reach the water because the duck ruined it, and she to drink from these tubs because of her beak and her dwarf deformity, so she died. I found her dead and my parents told me to throw her away and I will not do such a disrespectful thing to her. I tried digging but the ground is too hard and I'm too weak to dig 2 feet into the ground for her. I have her in a plastic bag next to me as I'm typing this and I don't know what to to. I'm not going to throw her away into the trash outside, that is so mean and nasty, I am not doing it to her like my mom has with previous chickens or ducks. Sugar is so special to me and I was going to celebrate her 2nd birthday this August but I guess I can't do that now.
Some of you may know Sugar from an old thread where she had a lump in her head from last summer that I helped her through even though some people suggested that I cull her. I would do anything just to turn back time to go outside just a little sooner to refill the water tubs so she could get a drink and not die from heat or dehydration. This morning she was doing so well, I can't believe I lost her so suddenly.
Please if anyone can tell me what to do for her since I'm too weak to dig for her and my parents won't help me. Please I'm asking because I want what's best for her. Should I put her in a freezer in the mean time? Do they have places where I could make ashes out of her for not that much money? Right now I onlu have 60 dollars from my allowance from this month.

This is Sugar. God how I love her. I've been crying the whole time.. Dear Sugar..

She's a standard buff orpington that was born different. I really hope that I gave her the best 1 and a half years. My hands are getting the prickly feeling and it's so hard to calm down.

 

[ladychicken&Ducklover]

I am so very very sorry for your loss. I lost my favorite hen to drowning a few weeks ago, but fortunately, my son was able to bury her in about 1 1/2 feet.

I so wish I was there to help you dig a nice grave for her. Do you have any friends that could help you?

Its very insensitive of your parents for not supporting you in your sorrow. Im sorry, but thats what us parents are for, to help our children experience good and bad parts of life, and to guide and comfort our children when they need us.

Ok, off my soapbox..I really have no other thoughts or ideas other than maybe having a friend help..if you have any sensitive friends.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss...hugs to you..

 

[JohnHenry]

You could put her in a bag in the freezer until the ground softens. I had a 2 day old die this spring and put her in the freezer until I had time to bury her.

 

[shober]

I'm so sorry for your loss! Its always hard to have a beloved pet die.

The freezer idea sounds like a good one! Or do you have a neighbor that could dig a hole?

 

[GardenGal]

I'm so so sorry for your loss, and I'm sorry that your parents don't understand how much your sweet girl meant to you. I think the freezer is a good option until you can bury your girl. One way to soften the ground is to soak it with water and then put something over it. It should be pretty good after a few days. Wish I could dig it for you.

 

[chickenzoo]

So very sorry......how heartbreaking. Im sure she had the best little life she could have and was loved.

 

[sumi]

I'm so sorry for your loss

The freezer sounds like a good idea and wetting the ground would help soften it. If you can't get a deep hole dug, maybe put a large stone on top?

 

[leadwolf1]

I'm so sorry for your loss

I just lost my precious OEGB pullet this past weekend.

Have you asked your father to help you dig? Maybe if he realized just how much you are hurting, he would help. Sometimes, parents don't stop and think that the kids are hurting more than they think they should and you need to let them know what you want/need to do for your little friend.

If they won't help, use a hose or bucket and wet the ground where you want to dig really well. Wait a few hours. Now, the ground should be soft enough for you to dig. Until then, put her in the freezer or the fridge. Freezer if it will take you longer than a couple days to get this done. Like someone else mentioned, if you can't dig really dip, put some rocks on the top of the grave. Do you have any flower beds or garden? If so, the soil there will probably be easier for you to dig in.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I am so sorry for the loss of you dear Sugar. I agree with the others that water will help soften the ground. When I buried some of my poor chickens, I looked for spots where the soil was more sandy and easier to dig and collected lots of rocks to put on top of the grave. But your place may have that really hard soil all around...

I hope you can find someone to help you.

 

[ailurophile23]

I am so sorry to hear that Sugar died - I imagine it is breaking your heart. Wetting the ground and waiting for it to soften is a great idea. Another possible option if your parents won't help - do you have a friend whose parents might help you bury Sugar in their yard?