Keeping hens and ducks chat.

Pyxis

And as for “getting into a state over a chicken”.........she’s not just a chicken, she ‘s a little life that you have saved from a horrible fate, and looked after and loved. All little lives are precious, especially ones that have become our family. 

Cheery_Daff

Pyxis said:

And as for “getting into a state over a chicken”.........she’s not just a chicken, she ‘s a little life that you have saved from a horrible fate, and looked after and loved. All little lives are precious, especially ones that have become our family. 

Thanks Pyxis, and the rest of you, for your kind thoughts  

Mildred is surprisingly still with us - she's had another day snoozing with me as I sat in the swing seat in the sunshine, with the other chickens milling round and occasionally sitting with her and preening or snoozing themselves. She's barely eaten or drunk anything today though, and this morning Mr Cheery had to fetch her out of the hen house as she was showing no signs of getting out herself. He dug her up some worms which she showed no interest in - but he did manage to tempt her (bizarrely) with a bit of sponge cake (!) I wouldn't normally feed sponge cake to a chicken (what a waste!) but, well, this was rather a special occasion and it worked. If we do lose her tonight, at least we'll know she had a last treat. (We've also saved a bit of cake for tomorrow, just in case...)

edwink

Aww, Cheery bless you and your little hen.  Please don't feel bad about bringing her home the other day.  I would have certainly done exactly the same as you and brought her home again, honestly, I would.  I also sit with mine when they are very poorly like you have been doing as it does give them a little company whilst the others are mooching about.  She knows you are there and that you will keep an eye on her. bless her.  Nothing better for her than sitting outside in the sunshine keeping warm and snug in this lovely weather.  Glad you managed to tempt her to eat something today.  At times like this, I feed mine on whatever I can get them to eat and end up with all sorts of bits of treat food sitting in front of them.  I am pleased the sponge cake did the trick today and I am not surprised, to be honest. 

As someone who is extremely fond of hens myself, it warms my heart that there is someone out there such as yourself who puts in the time and effort to make the lives of these ex-battery hens blissfully comfortable when they are rehomed. You and Mr Cheery should be so proud of yourselves. Give yourselves a pat on the back because you both deserve it.

Take care
Edwink x

Cheery_Daff

Thanks edwink. I'm very sad to report we had Mildred put to sleep this morning 😥 Yesterday she was snoozy but seemed quite serene in the sunshine, but today she could barely hold her head up and couldn't stand up when she tried. All very sad. Vet was very kind, obviously we couldn't go in with her given the current situation but we've brought her home and will bury her under the fruit trees with the other two we lost xx

Pyxis

Cheery_Daff said:

Thanks edwink. I'm very sad to report we had Mikdred put to sleep this morning 😥 Yesterday she was snooty but seemed quite serene in the sunshine, but today she could barely hold her head up and couldn't stand up when she tried. All very sad. Vet was very kind, obviously we couldn't go in with her given the current situation but we've brought her home and will bury her under the fruit trees with the other two we lost xx

😢😢😢

Karmacat

Cheery_Daff said:

Thanks edwink. I'm very sad to report we had Mildred put to sleep this morning 😥 Yesterday she was snoozy but seemed quite serene in the sunshine, but today she could barely hold her head up and couldn't stand up when she tried. All very sad. Vet was very kind, obviously we couldn't go in with her given the current situation but we've brought her home and will bury her under the fruit trees with the other two we lost xx

😢😢😢

From me too.  Thinking of you both. 

edwink

Aww, bless you Cheery.  It is so sad when they go to hen heaven but please remember you and Mr Cheery gave her a super life with her feathered friends and I am sure she wouldn't have asked for anymore during her retirement. These little ex-battery hens just need a loving home where they can retire and enjoy the rest of their life and this is what you gave her. 

I've been where you are today and it gets me every time and I have to remind myself of the life I have given mine whilst they are with me.  When people think they are just "chickens", they are not because they become much loved pets and I know myself they become part of the family.  

Just remember Cheery you did everything you possibly could for her when she needed you to. You are a star Cheery you really are. 

Take care

Edwink

orangecrush

@Cheery_Daff I'm so sorry about Mildred   Big hugs!  It's awful losing them, but she had so much care and love from you, she had a great life and once the sadness passes I hope you can look back with happiness on the times you had together. 

Cheery_Daff

Thank you lovely people xxx

I'm now starting to fret about Maud... I thought she was just being quiet cos she was she was sad, but she barely seems to be eating anything and has spent most of the morning snoozing in the living room. Crop feels fine (though empty - will prod her this evening to see if she's eaten anything), can't feel an egg blockage. Just gave her a warm bath to help move things if anything's stuck - she tolerated it much better than the others did but that might just be because she's poorly. 

Got to ring the vets anyway to pay for the other day, so I might see if I can have a word with a vet and maybe take her in tomorrow.

Honestly, bloody chickens causing so much trauma this week!

Pyxis

Cheery_Daff said:

Thank you lovely people xxx

I'm now starting to fret about Maud... I thought she was just being quiet cos she was she was sad, but she barely seems to be eating anything and has spent most of the morning snoozing in the living room. Crop feels fine (though empty - will prod her this evening to see if she's eaten anything), can't feel an egg blockage. Just gave her a warm bath to help move things if anything's stuck - she tolerated it much better than the others did but that might just be because she's poorly. 

Got to ring the vets anyway to pay for the other day, so I might see if I can have a word with a vet and maybe take her in tomorrow.

Honestly, bloody chickens causing so much trauma this week!

Maybe she’s missing Mildred. Can hens grieve?