When and how did you move on?

[NewcoopNewpoop]

Backstory is we have 3 chickens. Of course the sweetest one (the one i bonded with immediately and chose as a young pullet) died recently.
Its the age old-when do you get another one? Question.
I know every chicken will be different. Part of me wants to try and find another good hen to bond with, our current 2 just arent in that disposition. The remaining chickens are acting noticeably different. They dont freerange as far or contentedly cluck when ranging anymore.
So flock dynamics play another part in my hesitation, what if i get a hen they hate?
The bigger part of me thinks of getting another and says 'why bother? The chance of getting another heart chicken is so low...
How did you all handle these feelings? What is your experience/story of moving on (or not?)

In memory of Toesy..

 

[Poultry Showman]

I hope you get more chickens because that fills in the spaces for me when I lose a chicken. I eventually fall love with another chicken. Of course I will always remember the chicken that passed! She was a beautiful chicken!

 

[tlcmurphy]

My favorite girl passed away in April, and I will just now be adding 2 more pullets to my remaining 2 girls. I think adding at least 2 is a good idea, as they will have each other when my first 2 inevitably gang up on them.
I’m sure I’ll learn to love them, but they will never replace Dixie.

 

[Velociraptors]

It’s always difficult to lose a chicken that you’ve grown close with, but for me too, I’ve found that over time you’ll bond with another even if it takes a bit to find the right one. Having more around definitely fills the empty space left by the one that passed. I’m not saying you’ll forget the one you lost, and you absolutely shouldn’t! But it helps

I recently lost a chick that I had spent a significant amount of time with. He had a sudden seizure (never had that with any chicken I’ve kept throughout my life) and passed. There was nothing I could have done, and it was heartbreaking. I was sick over it for a good while. But I kept going, because I wasn’t going to let that keep me down. I still think about him sometimes, but having others around that I’ve raised and seeing that development makes me proud of what I’ve done.

His name was Merlin

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

It’s always difficult to lose a chicken that you’ve grown close with, but for me too, I’ve found that over time you’ll bond with another even if it takes a bit to find the right one. Having more around definitely fills the empty space left by the one that passed. I’m not saying you’ll forget the one you lost, and you absolutely shouldn’t! But it helps

I recently lost a chick that I had spent a significant amount of time with. He had a sudden seizure (never had that with any chicken I’ve kept throughout my life) and passed. There was nothing I could have done, and it was heartbreaking. I was sick over it for a good while. But I kept going, because I wasn’t going to let that keep me down. I still think about him sometimes, but having others around that I’ve raised and seeing that development makes me proud of what I’ve done.

His name was Merlin

Im sorry for your loss too. I had a kitten die from a seizure while I held it. That was so sad..
I hate having this hole where she used to be. I havent lost a beloved pet in almost 10 years now that I think of it.

 

[TwoCrows]

I am so sorry for everyone's losses here. Its definitely heart shredding stuff to lose our pets, whether they be our chickens, family dog or cat, other creatures. As for chickens, I thought the loss would get easier over time after losing my first, and while my favorites are the most difficult to let go, it still hurts to lose any of them. Never gets easier for me. When any of my beloveds pass, they take a piece of my heart with them.

 

[Nym]

I met a man at the local walking area, whose little French bulldog played with my dog. As we got talking he told the story of how Arnold was the first new dog to come into his life after the loss of his passed dog some 20yrs ago! He couldn't dream of 'replacing' his beloved. The Frenchie's owner were moving and asked him if he wanted the dog. He could not stop saying how much joy the dog brought him and his family. the smile on his face was so wonderful when he told of all the antics.

Never go without what your heart wants most Stay in the joy!

 

[theoldchick]

Wait and see if a chicken in need comes your way.

 

[Vicker]

I've stopped intentionally getting attached to my chickens because their lives are so fleeting. That being said, there always those that have special personalities and hold a special place in my heart. My biggest heartbreak was losing my sweet, innocent Pilgrim geese to coyotes. I still can't bring myself to get more because I know I'd get attached.

 

[NewcoopNewpoop]

The two we have left hate being picked up. I have worked with them but they just dont like it. I'd say all of us arent really that crazy about them. Theyre just egglayers for us. Toesy was more of a friend and a pet.
I am feeling much better today, your posts all helped. I even considered going to a chicken swap today but we are too busy.