Poor Sick Chick died last night.
She was a lovely old ex-battery hen, the most vocal, and gentle, of the original four.
She liked nothing better than to scratch around and chatter to us as we worked.
We shall miss her, so will Little Red Hen.
She lies buried in the middle of Owl Wood.
I realise that to non-hen people this is a fuss about nothing. Our rescued, rescue hens were great little characters who showed us that big personalities can also come in small, feathery packages.
A hen is not 'just a hen'.
just a hen- but still part of the family
ReplyDeleteHi gz, She was indeed.
DeleteSorry about your lovely hen Elaine. It's difficult to explain how a chicken can have a distinct personality to anyone who has never kept chooks.
ReplyDeleteAre you going to get some more?
Thanks Chris, She was a sweet little thing. We'll get some more but as we still have one left - lonely Little Red Hen - I think we had better wait. We'll just have to make sure we give her plenty of extra company.
DeleteOh, Elaine....I'm so sorry. I am one of the hen-lover people. My "girls" not only entertain me, but they provide enough eggs for me and my friends.
ReplyDeleteHi Meggie, They are really entertaining - I used to love it when the "girls" would virtually pick up their petticoats and run through the woods to get to their treats! Little Sick Chick always lost the race so I had to make sure to save a little for her.
DeleteSorry to hear about Sick Chick. I have never had chickens but I babysat some turkeys for a couple of weeks once and I was surprised at how much personality they had. I think animals' and birds' personalities show more when they have a good home and feel safe to express it. Sick Chick had a very happy life with you.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny, Thank you. I felt a lot for these girls because they were ex-battery hens who were rescued and were then kept in less than ideal conditions and we had to rescue them from that. At least, as you said, they finally ended up with a safe and happy home for a while.
DeleteI completely understand how you feel. I love my chickens! I'm so glad Little Red Hen got to spend her retirement days living in bliss with you. xoxox
ReplyDeleteHi Knatolee, I know you do - your hens and ducks have a wonderful life. You are right, she did end her days happily free-ranging in the Owl Wood.
DeletePoor little girl, you gave her a chance to blossom..and she did. She died happy and stress free...you gave her a wondeful gift.
ReplyDeleteJane x
Hi Jane, Thank you. She seemed perfectly happy yesterday, so you can imagine how much of a shock it was. Still, she had freedom, fun and love, and that is what matters.
DeleteAll hens are important and have characters. My three, and I, have a great relationship. I can easily understand your sadness.
ReplyDeleteHello Cro, The last remaining one keeps following us around. Luckily she is never short of company in the wood, but it must still be very strange for the poor old girl.
DeleteHow sad! I used to have a rooster that was given to me by someone who had hens and decided she didn't want her roosters anymore. I called him Lonesome George because he was our only chicken. I really liked George for as long as we had him! I know you will miss your sweet hens!
ReplyDeleteHi Marie, It is amazing how much character those fluffy, feathery birds have - and how much pleasure we can get from caring for them! I love the name Lonesome George!
DeleteI'm scrolling backwards through your posts and this one touched me. I'm so glad you rescued these hens and gave them happy lives. Brown hens are my favourite chickens.
ReplyDelete