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| Lacy Lou 2006-2013 It's never easy when we lose an important member of our backyard flock because, lets face it, they're all important right? This past weekend I went out to do my daily check on the girls and my heart dropped to the ground when I spotted my sweet Lacy Lou huddled up next to the shed inside the run. I knew what was happening because I've seen what a sick chicken looks like in their final hours before. She was pale, weak, and her eyes were closed. When I tried to stand her up to see if she was able she would just lay back down again. I brought her some water and she took a few small sips then closed her eyes again. I sat with her a while stroking her feathers and telling her she was a good girl and that I loved her and would miss her then I picked her up and placed her in the hen house so she would be safer. I felt torn about what to do from there. I wanted to put her in a box and bring her in the house and sit with her until she left this world but I was only going to be home for an hour or so as I'm staying with my own mother hen who is recovering from her recent hip replacement surgery and she was home alone taking a nap. I needed to get back to her! Finally, I decided to leave Lacy Lou be. I said my good-byes and drove back to my mothers house knowing she probably wouldn't make it through the night.My husband called the next day to tell me that he found her outside in the same spot, lying in the dirt by the shed and she was gone. I coudn't believe she had gotten her weak little body back outside. |
I never thought I would get so attached to my girls before I had some of my own. They just add so much to our little backyard farm life.
Lacy Lou was such a special gal. She was a good listener, always there for a fellow feathered friend.
She was head- hen of our first flock and one of now two remaining girls from that first clutch of eight.
She was always the first to check out the scraps from the kitchen making sure it was alright for the rest of the girls.She knew her name and always came when I called. I will miss our daily visits. I have nothing but respect for my girl Lacy Lou... She was a lady, through and through.
Wyandottes are a friendly, mild mannered breed and make wonderful coop mates. Plus, they don't mind the cold winter weather here in New England. To learn more about this wonderful breed go here!
I know the girls will miss her too but they all love Liza Jane (one of our Ameracauna's) who has graciously stepped up as the new Mother Hen!
Don't let this photo fool ya. She's not as mean as she looks, but she runs a tight hen house!
I would love to know how you say goodbye to members of your flock? Do you help them make the transition with special care, a trip the vet or just let nature take it's course?
Talk to me!
27 comments:
I would have done the same thing you did. If they do not appear to be in physical pain, I let them be. They understand the cycle of life and are more comfortable in their own surroundings. It is not easy, they do add so much to our backyard lives! They each have their own personality and funny ways. I get attached to them and yes I name them all!
Thank you Melanie! I was hoping I didn't appear too cold hearted by just leavning her there...but I sure felt that way.. You are so right about the individual personalities and the added fun they add to our lives!
Thanks so much for your note today!
hugs,
Deb
SO sorry for you loss Deb. It really choked me up. I don't have chickens (YET), but have lost other animals. You did the right thing. I think animals know when it is their time and they go and do what they need to do. That is what I have observed in loosing dogs in the past. Again so sorry for this. Your blog did inspire me to look at this breed when I get my own girls in the spring.
Hi Debbie! Thank you so much. You will love them... they live very happily with Ameracaunas which make up the rest of my flock right now besides the one golden we have. Love your photo! Thanks for your note today! Hugs!
Deb
Oh.... so sorry to hear about your lost :( We have one hen that is not doing well. Two months ago...our neighbour offered to slaughter her as a solution, because he said she wont last the morrow!!.. but I thought that was a cruel suggestion.. We decided to let nature take it's course. Guess what?! although she's seem slow in her movement but she is still alive, enjoying the veggies we throw in that she loves.
I'm happy to hear your hen is still hanging on enjoying veggie scraps. I had a feeling about my girl a few weeks ago. She started moving slow too... Enjoy each day... maybe she and Lacy will meet in the big chicken run of heaven while free ranging! Thanks so much for your note today!
Hugs,
Deb
I am so very sorry for your loss, Deb :( I know exactly how you feel. I lost my beautiful golden laced wyandotte, Buttercup, less than a year ago and it was horrible. If I can, I try to stay with them if I know their time is near, but in your situation I would have done the same thing. I'm glad that you got to say goodbye to her. Isn't it crazy how attached we get to these animals? I had no idea it would be this way! They really work their way into our hearts, don't they?
I am sorry to hear this . We did the same thing with our sick girls what we would do is put them on a comfy towel or blanket and let nature take it's course and make sure they were not in any pain . There are so many reasons that even a vet can't do anything about as what, why and how chickens get sick . Our prayers are with you and the rest of the girls !
Oh, Deb, I'm so sorry! They do become more than just 'livestock' don't they. {{HUGS}} to you!!
We let them go naturally unless they are in pain as was our old rooster who had been severely attacked by another so my husband put him out of his misery. Others we just left alone so they would go in the comfort of their own coop. The last one was overcome by heat so I did take her into the house to try and revive her. Three others made it ok but she was just too far gone. (We had a sudden, unanticipated very high heat wave that came on within hours and the chicks were young).
It's not easy losing one you are close to. I'm sorry for your loss.
Aw, so sorry your girl got called away. She must have some mother henin' to do elsewhere...She may have wanted to go without you there, knowing how attached you are to her. God's speed to that sweet girl. She certainly was a gorgeous looking chick.
I'm not looking forward to having to say goodbye to any of our future hens. I cried when my boy lost his fish!
Healing thoughts your way...
Oh Deborah, I just went through this myself just over a week ago. My little Bar Rock girl, Florence, was not doing well at all. Was always going off by herself and hiding in the corner of the coop for 2-3 days. Unfortunately she was hanging on and looked to be suffering and my hubs told me to go do my errands when I was very distraught, crying and saying I just did not know what else to do for her, and he would take care of her. I am afraid it was very traumatic for him, he has such a soft heart for all animals and children. He even makes the grands put the frogs back in the pond after they catch them, won't let them take them home because he knows they won't live long. I have had other hens that have died but they had gone quickly after noticing they were ill, so we have never had to do something like this before. Sorry for the loss of one of your sweet hens.
So sorry to hear of your loss. We do get close to them.
Oh Deb! I am so sorry. She was a beauty. ~RIP Lacy Lou.
Thank you Kathy.You are so right. It's not easy. I'm sorry to hear of your loss too due to the heat wave. It's amazing how hardy they can be and how fragile at the same time. It's a blessing the others survived it!
Thanks so much Candy! They sure do! :)
Thank you Elaine!I like what you do to usher your sick chickens out of this world and onto the next. Chickens deserve humane passage too! Hugs,Deb
Oh, I'm sorry for your loss of your girl Buttercup too! Yes, they have a way of wriggling right into our hearts... for sure! thanks so much for your note! Deb
Thank you Daisy! I like to think she has some more "work to do"in chicken heaven too! Loveing your good wishes!
Thank so much Brenda! I'm sorry for the loss of your girl Florence and for your soft hearted husband too. Animals just give us so much if we are tuned in to it, even frogs! I stepped on a small toad while I was out cutting flowers last week and I felt just awful! I didn't see the poor little thing and only noticed it after I had smushed it... :( I look now!
Thanks Michelle! We sure do!
Thank you Becky! Indeed... yes, RIP Lacy Lou...
hugs!
Many times it IS too late once you start to see symptoms but I would administer some Nutri-drench or electrolytes, make a hen comfortable and warm, and be sure she's inside, separated from the rest of the flock and safe from predators. Often times there are things you can do to help them pull through. As soon as you notice symptoms, a few natural remedies can help in some cases. I would also worry it was possibly an infectious disease and immediately step up the rest of the flock's rations of apple cider vinegar and fresh minced garlic....and of course watch closely for the next few days, just in case. So sorry for your loss.
Thank you Lisa. :) Wonderful suggestions for an ailing chicken. All is well in the hen house at the moment. Thank goodness!
Deb
I am so sorry. Lacy Lou was a beautiful chicken.
I didn't get the opportunity to read this until today and it sure tore my heart. We've only had chickens since Easter of this year but I'm already so attached to them I know I'm in trouble. I agree with what you all have said, it never occurred to me that I'd get this attached to chickens but we do. I am so sorry for your loss and my heart definitely goes out to you. Thank you for so candidly sharing your experience.
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