You know sometimes it seems so hard to let things go as we age. I recently posted a story on my dear Anabel a Rhode Island Red hen that I raised up from a chick 6-7 years ago and she was so special to me and she was my first chick when I started back up raising chickens. Well she passed a way just a few weeks ago. Now she had a sister named Isabel, my last Rhode Island Red hen. Well I went to check on my girls last night (as usual) and there below the roost lay Isabel. She was not dead yet but she was close. So I sat with her a while and held her in my lap until the end. I love raising chickens and I love seeing the chicks grow. But it sure is hard when they get too old to lay and then they just seem to grow old so fast. I guess I am getting old
when it gets to me like this. So I will say a little prayer and watch my next little chick grow!
I think that's a wonderful idea! I just had my first incubator chick hatch for this year, got two more almost out and couple working on it. 
But none are Rhode Island Red, I guess I need to fix that!
The first hens I got were warrens (ISA Brown). I had two die in my arms last year. I found both of them under the wheelbarrow after dark when all the rest went to roost. I knew what was going to happen. I just held them. It was so upsetting seeing them go. Two others were found on the coop floor in the morning. I have had other hens go for one reason or another but these hens are special. I have one left now. ISA hens aren't bred to live all that long so I'm expecting something to happen. She looks fine now but you never know. Good luck with your hatch at least they will keep you on your toes!!
