A Chicken Keeper’s Grief & Loss: 6

This is the seventh post in a series about the impacts of losing a member of our flock. Unfortunately there is no shortage of sad endings, some expected and others sudden and inexplicable, that touch us deeply. 

Not everyone can relate to the grief that some feel over the death of a chicken – even other chicken keepers who see their birds as livestock, meaning an animal that has a purpose in serving their owner and it would be a bit unseemly to shed tears over something you could replace for just a few dollars. Clearly, they are not my people, though I respect that not everyone bonds to their birds as they might the family dog or cat.

Those stories have resonated with my readers and I’m committed to continuing to hold space for them. Grief is something we all must bear as individuals, but that load is lightened when shared with others who understand and empathize with our loss.

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I lost my sweet little bird yesterday morning. Her name was Liyah Chicken Bird (named by my daughter). She got attacked months ago and had a head injury. She healed and was doing great, then out of nowhere started having horrible seizures. Liyah was on meds for it, but it still wasn’t enough. Plenty of good days, but still plenty of bad days. This past week she got weaker. She quit trying. I told her before work if she needed to go that it was okay.  I knew she was tired. The next morning I picked her up and she quietly passed away in my arms. To say I’m devastated is an understatement. I’ve cried more tears over this tiny chicken than I could even dream of. It seems silly to an outsider, but Liyah kept me together. I have friends and family, but when you have depression and anxiety, animals can fill that lonely void more than any person could. My heart hurts and I miss my best friend. Hold your babies close. And love them while they’re here. – Jordan Brown

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My baby boy just passed away at only two years old. Roo was an Indian Red Jungle Fowl that I got when he was a few months. He was on his death bed then. He was the lowest in his group of mostly roosters that didn’t allow him to eat and pecked him enough that his brain didn’t develop as it should’ve. His left eye mainly stayed closed, his left wing always drooped a little, and one of his toes was so crooked he was never able to roost.

Roo was a happy little man who loved ice water. He survived a fox attack and a hawk attack over the years. He would often fall over or get knocked off balance and in October I found him half-dead from having fallen over, unable to get up and overheating in the sun. He recovered but transitioned into a house chicken after that incident.

These last months having him around all the time has been a blessing. He would eat cat food every evening and then cuddle into my neck on the couch. He even started to coo or purr when he was happy. But Saturday morning something was wrong and he wasn’t able to stand, like his legs didn’t want to work and gradually deteriorated. I had to handfeed him, gently dunk his beak so he would drink. I took this photo of him yesterday evening, sitting out in the yard with me. 

It was stormy all day long, but the clouds opened and bathed him in sunlight one last time. He had both of his eyes open and was alert. He slept in the bed with me all last night; I could tell by his breathing what was coming. He took his last breaths this morning while I held him and thanked him for blessing my life with his. To most people, my chicken just died, but to me a pet, a being that looked to me for love and care, is gone. And my heart is grieving. – Kathleen Thompson

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Cornelia’s daughter Cayenne has her mother’s tenacity and spirit since the day she hatched out of her egg. I think she’s about over me now though because I keep picking her up and cuddling her. I have probably called her by the wrong name about a half dozen times since yesterday. It gives me some comfort to know that at least I still have a small piece of her here with me. – Jaime Messaros

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Today we lost our Rhode Island Red hen, Red, who was very near and dear to us. She was very old. We rescued her from a farm setting that wasn’t great and brought her home with us. She enjoyed attention and would sit by me when I sat outside. I hope they come back to you further down the road, if they do I hope to see them and the others we lost. I miss you little one, run free with your siblings and friends. I hope we cross paths again. Part of chicken keeping is loss but you can make sure to give them the best life possible. – Callie Haworth

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I do believe today is her day. My sweet Edith has put herself in the hospice corner. She is tired and oh so ready. Safe home, sweet hen! – Jo Dixon

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Twelve years of sweet Rosie! After her respiratory failure getting a lot worse over the last couple days I made the decision to put her down last night. She had gotten to the point where her breathing issues were preventing her from eating and I couldn’t stand to watch her starve to death. She lived the fullest life for a little red hen, moved with us eight years ago to our farm. She and Ruby are the last of our original flock. She survived predators right after we moved, and in her old age decided to go broody and raised chicks for the flock the last two years. She would take care of other hens’ chicks as well, definitely her happiest as a mama!! Her rooster never left her as she got slower than the others. She snuggled up against me right till the end and knew she was the most loved little red hen. She’s so missed already. – Meleah Morrison

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And so I finally laid Nicola to rest, to transition her earthly body and pay tribute to her presence in our journey here.

Nicola was a wee contradiction in many ways, so grumpy looking but with a clear longing for friendship and comfort. 

She had a presence only those who have been round the block a few times possess and I loved her dearly for it.

I chose the colourful dahlias for her fullness of character but with the fading beauty of the largest flower at the front, as she tired in her body, she still held that presence, I feel it still. 

Onwards dear soul, onwards – Haidy Mansfield

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Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and photos.

If you have a story to share drop me a line via the ‘contact’ button on my homepage.

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“Backyard chicken keeping, unfiltered and unapologetic.”