Damn.
Well, dammit, I found a hen dead in the run this evening when I went to lock up. Chickens do that; they just fall over. But this was a shocker because it was Coco — the biggest and youngest bird in the flock.
She was the all black hen, and a lovely iridescent thing she was, like a fat raven with a big red comb. We were admiring her earlier today, pecking around in the sunshine. Not even a year old.
Her sister — these are the only two of our birds that probably were biologically sisters — is the paralyzed one. Frightened by a fox in late Summer (we guess), she hurt her spine somehow and can’t stand. I decided I’d stick with her as long as she was alert and had an appetite, but I didn’t truly expect to see her live out the Winter.
She’s fine. She’s hanging in there, hard. I mean, she’ll never mature, but I feel rather fiercely that if she wants it, I will give it to her. Goodness knows she’s no extra trouble.
Stupid mortality wins too many as it is.
Posted: April 22nd, 2014 under animals, badger house, birds, personal.
Comments: 21
Comments
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: April 22, 2014, 9:31 pm
Here she is in color, in a pic Uncle B took last week.
I was sure she was going to make Head Chicken soon.
Comment from QuasiModo
Time: April 22, 2014, 10:53 pm
Sorry to hear about Coco…R.I.P.
Comment from S. Weasel
Time: April 22, 2014, 11:14 pm
Y’all are more than welcome to continue the dessert recipes in the thread below. I didn’t mean to grind the conversation to a halt, but I had to share. I’m bummed, but there’s not much to say about it.
Comment from Armybrat
Time: April 23, 2014, 12:16 am
I’m so sorry! Loosing a beloved is never easy.
Comment from Uncle Al
Time: April 23, 2014, 12:19 am
Sorry to hear about Coco, Stoatie.
It is upon the demise of animals we get attached to that I note that there’s more to Pet Rocks than a silly fad.
Comment from Frit
Time: April 23, 2014, 12:40 am
Awww, I’m so sorry for your loss, Stoaty & UB! It’s sad enough to find a loved one dead when you know they’re on their way, but so much worse to find one who seemed young and healthy, suddenly dead.
*HUGS*
I’m sure she’ll be waiting over the Rainbow Bridge for you!
Comment from Can’tHarkMyCry
Time: April 23, 2014, 1:00 am
Oh, so sorry to hear that, Sweas. (And Uncle Al has a point–although even rocks can be broken; the world is impermanent.)
Comment from Paula Douglas
Time: April 23, 2014, 2:15 am
So sorry about Coco. She was a beautiful girl.
Comment from Mrs Compton
Time: April 23, 2014, 2:47 am
What a beautiful girl she was, I’m so sorry for your loss. Hugs from us.
Comment from Deborah
Time: April 23, 2014, 3:00 am
Oh no. What a shame, Stoaty. I’m glad you have such a recent photo of her—she was a beauty.
Comment from Davem123
Time: April 23, 2014, 3:48 am
Condolences, Stoaty. It’s hard to lose a friend, even if they’re “just” an animal. I hate to think what I’ll look like when my Weim passes.
Comment from J.S.Bridges
Time: April 23, 2014, 9:28 am
Sad, that – even chooks can grab your heart-strings, at least a bit…
Condolences, and Be Well, and perhaps contemplate a replacement sometime down the road a bit, yes?
Comment from biztecka
Time: April 23, 2014, 10:44 am
Sorry for your loss. Mortality sucks.
Comment from dissent555
Time: April 23, 2014, 11:59 am
Sorry to hear about Coco; she was a beautiful bird.
Comment from Some Vegetable
Time: April 23, 2014, 3:32 pm
Sorry to hear about Coco….
Sic transit pullus mundi is easy to say, but it still hurts to lose a friend
Comment from BJM
Time: April 23, 2014, 5:47 pm
Sorry to hear the news Sweasy, Coco was a real beauty.
Comment from Harry
Time: April 23, 2014, 9:05 pm
Ummm…in addition to “The Dead Pool”, you could start “The Dead Chicken Pool”? Just sayin’
Comment from SCOTTtheBADGER
Time: April 23, 2014, 11:18 pm
I am sorry to hear of this, animals can be very important to one.
Comment from Stark Dickflüssig
Time: April 24, 2014, 4:07 am
You know, my sister once gave a duckling CPR (unsuccessfully). I should probably not comment on animal deaths.
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