R.I.P. Pearl :-(((

[jjthink]

I'm so very sorry about Pearl

I suddenly lost joyous affectionate BR Annie in July in the prime of her life (not yet 2) to an apparent heart attack (heard awful flapping noises and ran out to her and it was already too late - her roo buddy was beside her wailing in helpless despair - he tried to offer her food in desperation yet you could tell he knew it would be to no avail - truly heartbreaking).

They deserve longer lives - it's so very sad. And they are priceless, cost in dollars no measure of worth.

RIP Pearl.

JJ

(I am only about a half hour south of Stockton, btw...)

 

[chicknmania]

This is sort of a funny story, but just a point about what a good rooster can do...we have a lot of roosters but Dazzle is the boss and he learned most of what he knows about predators and everything else by taking notes and watching our very old, very wise , but now deceased rooster, Whitey. We always laughingly say that Whitey took great pride in teaching his understudy, Dazzle. Anyway, most of the older hens in Dazzle's personal flock know that when he says "take cover" he means "NOW!!!"...not, "when you finish eating that tasty bug or, ok, if you want to"....anyway, he knows the sounds of scolding squirrels, chickadees, crows, jays, and other wildlife and birds. One day in late last summer he heard the chickadees and squirrels scolding, and he was in our back yard bordering the woods with a bunch of young cockerels and pullets and his regular hens. He said "rrrrrrrhhh" and moved towards the house, where he stood listening. A second rrrrrhhhhhahhhh brought most of his regular hens close to the house too where it was easy for them to take cover, but the youngsters still dawdled around the yard. The birds and squirrels kept on scolding and obviously Dazzle finally lost his patience and screamed "AAAAAAHHHHHHRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!",which brought all the youngsters running to him as fast as they could go! He then escorted them into the garage. It was funny to watch and interesting to see how they communicate. I have also seen him run after a wayward hen wandering towards danger and kick her butt all the way back under the bushes. Unfortunately, Dazzle can't be everywhere, and even if he is with the hens, he is going to take cover too, not usually stay and fight, not against a hawk anyway though I've seen him fight or confront other predators. And the younger or subservient roos are watching him, now, too, and taking notes. So, bottom line, I think it is always a good idea to have at least one rooster, and ideally, two who will get along, if you can, especially when your chickens free-range.

Oh, please say a prayer for Hedwig too and I want to resurrect my "memorials" thread and I will do one for her later, she was special. RIP Heddie.

 

[SpottedCrow]

Thanks, Judy. I needed to cry some more today...

I lost Miss MoneyPenny to a hawk...there's nothing like that feeling of hawk in your face and your still warm birdy on the ground.

Sorry for your loss of Pearl.

 

[nerfy]

I'm so sorry for everyone's losses.

I cried for days when I lost my rooster to a raccoon. I still get teary eyed when I think about it. I still have some of his tail feathers.
Have had a couple of very close calls with hawks lately.
Hanging CD's tomorrow.

 

[seminolewind]

I think the favorites get it because they are more trusting.

 

[Attack Chicken]

To me it's better to let them live half of their lives free and happy, Not caged up for all their life. It's the chance we take letting our bird/pets out.