My Heart is Broken

[lmdengler]

Good Morning All -
I had to wait a little bit to post this as it was just too sad. My beloved "Daisy Chicken" died on Thanksgiving morning. She was the girl who I nursed back from the brink of death in May/June. She become my sweet pet. She loved me and followed me and came to me when I called her. She was no ordinary chicken. She had personality. I was even starting a little blog for her. About a week before she passed I noticed she wasn't eating well, losing just a little weight, and kind of keeping to herself. So I brought her in and started all the life saving techniques I used back in May that worked. It didn't work this time - I couldn't save her. She passed away in my arms. I am tearing up just writing about this. I just loved her so much. I've decided I am the most unlucky new chicken keeper ever. Everything that can go wrong or that a chicken keeper could do wrong - I have managed to experience or do. I hope my remaining flock survives "me" because I just love them. Not to mention the incredible "condo" my husband is just about finished building for them. They give me such great joy.
Lisa

 

[Bridger Davis]

I know how it feels. BUt remember, it's not your fault! If your nursing a chicken, that's more than 90% of the population would do to save a chicken's life. You obviously tried very hard to make sure those chickens had everything they needed. Sorry again, but remember, these things just happen... Trust me, I know.

 

[lilmillefleur]

hope you and your other chickens are okay. I'm so sorry.

 

[FrankieDoodle]

I'm so, so sorry losing pets is hard, but don't blame yourself for their deaths/illnesses. Daisy sounds like a wonderful chicken.

 

[Wise Woman]

I am so sorry for your loss. Sometimes it is just their time and there isn't much we can do about it. Not fair, I know.

I had to put my Nigerian Dwarf goat Madeline down on Nov. 14. She was 16 1/2 years old and I have had her most of her life. She was my first goat and I did all my best practicing on her. I learned to deliver kids with her, I learned to milk with her and many other things. I cried and cried but she was suffering with a lot of pain and losing weight and her teeth were breaking off and she was struggling to eat and just stand up. I could not let my girl suffer like that. It is hard, but she had a good life with us and never wanted for anything. She provided us with beautiful kids, many of which are at the San Diego Zoo, and lots of wonderful milk for many years. I am all the richer for having been her human mom for 15 years.

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Losing a pet that was close to you is always hard, especially when you're a crazy chicken lady. I'm sorry for your loss

 

[Morrigan]

It is always hard to lose a pet, but please don't blame yourself. A lot can go wrong with chickens even if they have the absolute best of care.

Daisy sounds like she was a wonderful hen and was very lucky to have such a caring owner.

 

[JewelBirds]

It's not your fault. You tried your best and that's what matters. Obviously your birds are loved and being given a good life. I know how you feel. A few weeks ago I lost my turkey Little One. He would come to me and loved to cuddle and be hugged. He was the sweetest turkey I ever knew. On a cold day he got an injury. He was always a bit weaker than the others and so I brought him in to fix him up and keep him warm. But a few hours later, he died in my arms. It was really sad because I loved him a lot, but at least I knew that he had lived a happy life, was taken care of and loved, and he didn't die alone. Which is true also with your Daisy

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I am so sorry that you lost your hen Daisy. I had a Cornish cross hen that I rescued from slaughter at 5 weeks old and nursed her back to health. She lived 8 months with her friends and then passed away in her sleep while I was away. I was heart broken when she passed, but I comforted myself that she lived 8 months like a normal chicken and that I she was loved so much by me & my family. And you should take comfort that she left this world in the arms of someone who really loved her.

 

[BarredRockMom]

Good Morning All -
I had to wait a little bit to post this as it was just too sad. My beloved "Daisy Chicken" died on Thanksgiving morning. She was the girl who I nursed back from the brink of death in May/June. She become my sweet pet. She loved me and followed me and came to me when I called her. She was no ordinary chicken. She had personality. I was even starting a little blog for her. About a week before she passed I noticed she wasn't eating well, losing just a little weight, and kind of keeping to herself. So I brought her in and started all the life saving techniques I used back in May that worked. It didn't work this time - I couldn't save her. She passed away in my arms. I am tearing up just writing about this. I just loved her so much. I've decided I am the most unlucky new chicken keeper ever. Everything that can go wrong or that a chicken keeper could do wrong - I have managed to experience or do. I hope my remaining flock survives "me" because I just love them. Not to mention the incredible "condo" my husband is just about finished building for them. They give me such great joy.
Lisa

What's the very best thing about having chickens? How much you love them & look forward to seeing them. What's the worst thing about having chickens? How much you love them & have to wait soooo long to see some again. (Our souls don't die & I don't believe theirs do either, so YEA!!!)

Of course you're heart broken, you love them & you're human. Even if you were a Vet or had been chicken keeper & friend for years with tons & tons of experience, you'd still be painfully aware that no matter what you do or how hard you try, you cannot always know or fix whatever is wrong when/if you DO know.
They just don't live as long as we'd like them to, no matter their age, and that flat out stinks.

So you go ahead & bawl. I get it, we all do. It's not fair that it has to be this way (for a little while, but not forever.) No matter what else, you just learn from your experiences and do better for those who remain & for those who come after.

Nothing soothes the heart like sharing your tears with your remaining chicken family. Whenever I lose someone, I always sit with the others that evening as they're settling down for the night. I tell them how sad I am that their sister is back in the spiritual realm & that I'm going to need their help to be less sad because of how much I miss her. I tell them that I did everything that I could, but sometimes it's just not enough. I tell them that I love them and will always try my hardest to care for and help them all & that no matter what, I will never forget them.

I never say that I am a bad chicken Mom. I never say that I failed. Because if I give up or stop learning or trying, THEN I'd be a bad chicken Mom & a failure.

Now, set aside a little space in your yard, bury your darling girl, mark the spot & write her name, birthday (or day she came to you) and date she passed in an important book. In the spring, get some Daisy seeds & plant them over her.

I always take a few feathers from my girls after they're gone & no longer using them. I like their neck feathers & those fluffy egg butt feathers, which crack me up. Any feathers that show their beautiful coloring are good. I wash them, put them in a Ziploc or an old medicine bottle & put their name on it. I keep those in a special place.

It never gets easier, you just get more comfort from leaning on your flock. You always miss them, you just take comfort in never forgetting them. You can't save or fix everyone, but you damn sure try! When it works, you sigh in relief. When it doesn't, you cry with grief. In the midst of your tears, try to catch an episode of chicken tv. That show is good for whatever ails ya.

And you are a great Chicken Mom. I can tell because you care. They know & love you for the same reason. Even though they will always love you MORE if you have treats! See? Made ya smile. (Pat, pat, pat on the back... I know, I really do, pat, pat, pat.) (Written through tears of my own)