When a Hen Passes...

[Winston1]

Hi, how does everyone handle a chicken that has passed? Do you bury it? 3.5 years ago, I was a new chicken momma of 6 ladies...we lost one the 2nd year. We had a whole ceremony and cremated her in our garden fire pit with garden flowers all around...I was devastated. I'm sure some will laugh at my ceremony but I'm an animal lover and some that I've asked, that live around, said they just toss them in the dump! I was horrified as no living creature should just be tossed like garbage. I even buried a snake that I killed! I'm sure I'm not the only one that treats their gals like humans...

 

[tlcmurphy]

We also bury ours

 

[RubelliteRose]

I also prefer to bury mine on our property

 

[nuthatched]

I bury mine 'at sea', I take them out and the woods and leave it somewhere.
I have used a dumpster before, it was too late to go to the woods and the truck was going to be there in the early morning. Not my first option but it was expedient.

 

[Sally PB]

When they die, I bury my chickens in my garden. One passed yesterday. She's wrapped up in plastic, sitting in the freezer. I will bury her when the ground thaws in a few months.

We bury our dogs when they pass on our property too. All our animals are members of the family.

 

[SunriseChickers]

We buried our chickens, as well as our cat and some other random wild animals found passed on our property, under a lovely tree. They always blessed us with lush green grass the year following their burial. The dog was buried in her own area.

 

[CCsGarden]

When my pet doves passed away, I buried them.They were very close to my heart. I still miss them!


As for my chickens, I've had I think about 8 -9 die....never buried them since I had done necropsy's on all.

 

[Winston1]

Thank you all for responding. I feel that the dumpster is so heartless. I do like "nuthatch" that you at least took some to the woods, if you have the time/light in your area...at least it would feed another animal in the wild. I also love the idea of burying them in the garden. They will become fertilizer and become a part of my beautiful garden, as they breakdown.

 

[fldiver97]

They’re buried either under dogwood trees or at the edge of the property where I plant my shade natives

 

[Winston1]

Does anyone cry? I did with Winston and assume I will when the other 5 eventually pass. They are just such fun and I love taking care of them...

Oh...and when you do bury them, do you just bury them "naked" or wrap them in a cloth or put them in a box?