Author |
Barnyard Buddies: a sad goodby to a chicken  |
|
Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 2:24:10 PM
|
Said goodby to a faithful chicken last night.
This hen was I think 6 or 7 years old.
"Scratchy" as we called her- was a buff orpington and was the friendliest chicken we ever had. She was always first for the handouts and would always come-a 'runnin' . Funny to see for a chicken that was as round as she was tall.
I think it was jut old age that finally got her, and I'm relieved to have found her before she would have passed away in the cold and dirt of the big coop outside . That might have done her in right there. Usually I'll find our downed chickens after the fact, but Scratchy was a fighter.
Was able to put her in the chick brooder under a light with some food and water and at least keep her warmer and more comfortable than she would have been in the big coop. She died fighting it, but expired after I patted her feathers and straightened her into a more comfortable position. Made me feel better anyway.
She was the best chicken I ever had.
Happy news is, we have 4 other orpingtons that are almost as friendly, so maybe one young lady will take her place. |
|
oldbittyhen
True Blue Farmgirl
    
1511 Posts
tina
quartz hill
ca
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 2:37:34 PM
|
it's sad to loose any animal, no matter what...my deepest heartfelt condolances to you and yours...
"Knowlege is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad" |
 |
|
GirlwithHook
True Blue Farmgirl
    
922 Posts
Alyce
Madison
WI
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 3:04:26 PM
|
Awww...I'm so sorry to hear this!
A hook, a book, and a good cup of coffee.... |
 |
|
mudpony farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
  
57 Posts
Jo
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 3:09:01 PM
|
Sorry to hear about Scratchy! At least you were able to make her comfortable, hope she went in peace. |
 |
|
Lessie Louise
True Blue Farmgirl
    
1406 Posts
Carol
PECULIAR
MO
USA
1406 Posts |
|
Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
    
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 3:58:22 PM
|
I'm sorry for your loss. Scratchy had a good mom. Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
 |
|
StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
    
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 6:51:24 PM
|
Oh Anna, I'm so sorry. I am so glad you were there with her for her last moments. I think that our girls all think of us as their mommas, and realize that we were that big HAND that came down from above when they were babies, and there really is a bonding that goes on there. I love my girls, and dread the day when their time comes. I just hope I can be there for them like you were for Scratchy.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090 Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift. http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns |
 |
|
MEWolf
True Blue Farmgirl
   
358 Posts
Margaret
Byers
Colorado
USA
358 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 6:55:21 PM
|
I am sorry for your loss Anna, she knew she was loved!
Margaret
“Kind hearts are the gardens, kind thoughts are the roots, kind words are the flowers, kind deeds are the fruits. Take care of your garden and keep out the weeds, fill it with sunshine, kind words and kind deeds.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1808-1882) Farmgirl #3020 www.grey-wolf-farm.com |
 |
|
sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
    
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 7:33:48 PM
|
it is so true whatever the life when its gone its very sad. it could be a snake or a lizard. i remember the farmgirls with those animals love their friends. i have favorite chicken it is a buff. she sees the red jeep and comes a running. food wagons here. so i send a hug to you and am so sorry for your loss anna. sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm farm girl #1014
|
 |
|
acairnsmom
True Blue Farmgirl
    
1319 Posts
audrey
cheyenne
wy
1319 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 9:23:49 PM
|
Anna, so sorry for your loss. Scratchy sounded like quite the hen. I'm sure you were of great comfort to her in her final hours.
Audrey
Good boy Hobbs! I love and miss you. |
 |
|
batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
    
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2012 : 10:55:45 PM
|
oh sweet hen I am sorry but am also glad you had her for as long as you did...I lost Star yesterday, I brought her in Monday knowing she was going to go soon & there was nothing I could do but make sure she was warm, feed & comfortable.....She was less than a year old but oh what a sweet girl she was......I hate it when their time comes & no matter what I do it isn't enough to save them....but I so love my chickens that I have learned to deal with this part of it...thinking of you :)....Michele'
Chickens rule! The Old Batz Farm Hen #2622 http://theoldbatzfarm.blogger.com |
 |
|
StrawHouseRanch
True Blue Farmgirl
    
1044 Posts
Paula
Holt
Missouri
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 05:56:08 AM
|
Michele,
I'm so sorry about Star. What a loss at such a young age. What a blessing of sorts, to be able to be there for them when their time comes.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090 Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift. http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns |
 |
|
Bayou Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
   
252 Posts
Jennifer
Star City
Arkansas
USA
252 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2012 : 06:42:47 AM
|
Anna, I'm so sorry about Scratchy. It is always hard to lose one of our beloved animals. They become part of our family and definitely have a place in our hearts.
~Jennifer~ Farmgirl #3803
|
 |
|
Sharon Denise
True Blue Farmgirl
   
211 Posts
Sharon
Temple
TX
USA
211 Posts |
|
Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 09:52:44 AM
|
Thanks Ladies,
I'm glad too
Such a fine 'ole biddy. I couldn't bear the thought of her going out any other way.
All our other chickens are under 3. So there shouldn't be any more broken hearts like this for a while. The other 4 buffs are still so young they haven't even started laying yet. Can't wait to woo one or two of them
Yea for chickie love! |
 |
|
Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
    
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Feb 18 2012 : 09:58:24 AM
|
The only other chicken I have ever been this upset about was a big rehabbed white rooster who bounced off the chicken truck and was nursed back to health.
He was HUGE!!! And really opened my eyes to how bad the mainline poultry production process is- especially when they fall out of the trucks and land on the highway for crying out loud!!
So that rooster lived 9 months longer than what he was genetically programmed to. He was gentle to us and extremely gentle to his ladies. |
 |
|
|
Barnyard Buddies: a sad goodby to a chicken  |
|