The Poultry Keeper

ChickenGeorge2 · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 115 Location: Northern Ireland

Such different emotions all in the space of two days. It started out on Tuesday what seemed an ordinary day until 12.pm I went out to check the girls and kids. Irene was lying on the grass beside the coup not looking her usual self. Was she sunbathing, unfortunately not. As I approached her things just looked wrong. On lifting her I knew she was on her last breaths and all I could do was pick her up and talk gently, trying to ease her obvious fear of approaching death. Within a few minutes her struggle to breath was getting desperate and after a last fling she passed away Crying or Very sad

This was it my first death. Although inevitable this did not make it any easier. I knew she wasn't that well, old age had caught up with her. To the best of my knowledge she was approx7 years old and had been a battery hen in a previous life (long horrible distant memory for her and two of her friends that are still with me).This had made a good day somewhat tainted and dampend my spirits. Later on that day when giving everyone else their scratch feed I noticed one of my first batch of chicks was missing. He is a leghorn rooster called Crooger, and he had just vanished into thin air. No feathers no trace. Sad

I spent a long time searching for him along the field hedges and even out on the road but alas my second casualty of the day one very old one young. All the rest were put to bed and Mumsy wouldn't go to bed with her chicks instead she went to the big hen house so another big change it was time for the remaining chicks to grow up and spend the night alone.
On waking the next morning I searched the fields again and still found no trace of my missing chick and no feathers or tell tail signs of a kill. All the rest of the hens spent a normal day and when I went to check them again at 12.pm guess what CROOGER WAS HOME and glad to be back took himself into the ark, ate a feed that made him fit to burst and spent the rest of the day sitting inside and wouldn't come out. I think a very relieved little boy to be home from his beg adventure.
Today Crooger took another big step on his way to Rooster hood. He CROWED when I went into him this morning. It really made me laugh. Some change from the emotions of the last few days Laughing

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

you're right that had all of those emotions. Sorry for the loss of Irene ~ it doesn't matter whether they're old or young, they're still part of your family aren't they? At least she ended her life with you, i a happy home.
I guess Crooger thought he was a big boy a couple of days early and got himself lost ~ hopfully it taught him to stay home in future ~ good luck with the rest of them. How are the abandoned chicks now?

Knobby · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject:

Sorry about your chook that didnt make it Sad

But 7 yrs is a great age !!!

Glad your boy came home !!! typical adolescent !!!!

Aussie Chick · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:35 pm Post subject:

Gosh, what a couple of days you've had. Hope it ok tomorrow.

Deb_Moderator · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 3661

Wow! Yes, that was an emotional roller coaster ride! I am glad that your little guy came home...and what better way to go than to be held gently and lovingly in someones arms, knowing that it is ok at let go! Well done!

NannyP · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 9:08 am Post subject:

Sorry about Irene, and pleased your little guy came back Very Happy

CP · Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 11:16 am Post subject:

So sorry about Irene, Crying or Very sad

but glad you got your boy back. Smile