Hoppy was our friendliest chicken and sadly we had to "set her free" a few weeks ago (age 16 weeks). She was the first animal I ever had to kill and surely won't be the last now that we have chickens. I'm grateful to her for helping us learn the process. I also can't say enough good things about the Washington State Avian Health lab. So helpful and the necropsy process turned out to be interesting. (Hoppy is in the foreground.)
She was a pretty girl, and what an adorable outfit! How do you make those? When we had the attack, the birds were very upset and VERY quiet. They are always very sad when they lose a friend, some think they don't know but they do. I'm sorry for your loss.
Thanks for the sympathy. Someone gave me the jacket pattern and my boyfriend's mum made some for me, my knitting is not up to it! I think you can get a pattern from these websites
Last Monday we lost our 5-year old hen Connie (full name Constance), it was our first hen to go to the big coop in the sky. I was shocked at how hard it was to say goodbye to our girl. Looking into her big golden eyes for the last time filled me with sorrow.
So I up and designed a line of chicken sympathy cards:
I felt there was a big gap in ways to express comfort to those who have lost a chicken. No more! It was so therapeutic for me to create these cards.
We thought Connie had egg bound at first, but a visit to the vet confirmed cancer. It was so heartbreaking for me to see her suffer. See here a photo of my husband and I giving Connie a bum sauna as part of her egg binding therapy (before we knew it was cancer). We had gotten to know Connie and her twin sister (both Plymouth Rocks) Dorothy so well. Dorothy definitely seemed blue during Connie's sickness and after she was gone.
Anybody who thinks "it's just a chicken"...has probably never lost a chicken!!
Saphira, lost to a crushing baby gate. female
Nasuada, lost to coccoi. female
Eragon and arya, both to dog attack. (the sweetest pair I EVER have had I really miss them ) female and male
Hope, got attacked by a dog twice then went missing. male
Peep peep, lost to racoon attack. male
I was really hoping to find a thread like this floating around. I've lost lots of chickens since we started keeping them last year, but a couple of deaths this year have been especially saddening, so here's to them
~Rest in Peace~ Tina Egg Turner
~April 2012 - October 2012~
Fell prey to an opossum
Inseparable from her near-twin, Buck Buck Bjork, Tina Egg Turner was a gold-laced Polish crested who loved (of course) to sing. She is survived by her many flock mates and missed terribly by Bjork.
~Rest in Peace~ Peaches
~April 2012 - October 2012~
Food Poisoning
Before she passed from illness (We suspect botulism), Peaches had grown to be the largest hen in our flock. She was sweet and quiet, and loved to be cuddled and pet. She will be missed very much.
I would also like to give mention to a nameless Barred Rock (she was indistinguishable from her twin and therefore couldn't be named), who tried to re-enter the run through the bird netting and suffocated as a result. Also, Minnie the Moocher, who alas took a fateful wrong turn into the dog run while my dog was outside and became lunch before I realized what had happened.
I've also lost a cat this month. October has been rough.
I recently lost my favorite bird. she was my absolute favorite her name was Kentucky. i was cleaning and they got passed the gate. I never worried because they never leave my yard. A dog came into my yard and grabbed her and ran off with her. I tried to chase the dog away with no luck the other bird got away and Cornal, my red chicken, flew. So yes chicken can fly. But my white one was caught. I ran down the street chasing this dog and finally he dropped her. i picked her up and carried her home... I got blood all over my new coat. she passed but i remember hearing her yell. she is buried under my peach tree where i hope she knows that i really tried. I also tell myself she had a wonderful very short life. she did not leave my yard, she was dragged off by the neighbors dog.
Lost one of my girls today....
Samantha one month old Buff Orpington.
She was the sweetest and most gentle of all the ladies. I miss my little peach.
I suspect there was a creature that ran off with her. We set traps. I hope I catch the *******.
Lost one of my chickens the other day. First time losing a chicken. I'm depressed. Don't know what got her.. found her dead inside the enclosure with a large gash in her.
) female and male
