Popcorn and Henny Penny
I can’t believe that I am experiencing grief about losing my chickens – they were just plain old, run-of-the-mill chickens, for heaven’s sake!
I have no idea how old our chickens were as we inherited them from a friend, but I think they were getting on in years. Chickens only having a laying period of about two years, and one of mine called Popcorn (yes, we gave them names!) hasn’t laid an egg for months so I guess she was past her “used by” date.
The other one, Henny Penny, gave us an egg every day without fail.
However, I noticed one day that Henny Penny was limping quite badly on one of her legs, and if she attempted to put it to the floor, she fell over. Her wings were outstretched and her mouth was open as if she couldn’t get enough air; her breathing was quite rapid.
When I picked her up to investigate, I felt a large lump on the side of her chest, about the size of a golf ball.
Needless to say, I was worried so I took her over to my neighbour to check her out (he used to be a farmer), and on checking her, he said it was probably a cancerous growth. He offered to put her out of her misery and I was horrified – I didn’t expect that. I told him I would think about it and see how she went that day.
She really didn’t look well, and I had noticed a few days previous that Popcorn had started to peck at Henny; there were a lot of feathers missing around her head area. Apparently, this is what chickens do – if there is a weak or sick chicken in their midst, they peck at the poor bird, sometimes until it dies, so with this in mind, I separated them to keep Henny from being pecked to death.
However, during the course of the day, she got worse and I realized that I was facing the inevitable.
But I also knew I had to make another decision – whether to keep Popcorn or not. She hadn’t laid an egg for months and we were feeding her for nothing. Also, because of her considerable age, I knew she wouldn’t be with us much longer anyway. I knew what I had to do, but I had to put my emotions to one side otherwise I wouldn’t be able to carry it through.
It seems cold but farmers don’t treat their livestock as pets – they are livestock, period. I have to harden up!
Chickens are funny little creatures – they don’t accept new chicks into the coup, and we wanted to get some new ones eventually. Popcorn would have attacked any new chicks we introduced into the chicken coup and probably killed them.
So when our next door neighbour came over to take Henny, we told him to take Popcorn too; he said we were doing the right thing and took them both back to his place to do the dirty deed. He is a farmer and is used to doing things like that. I’m glad he was there to help us out, because neither I nor my husband could have done it.
My heart lurched as I saw them go, and even our dog was stressed – she didn’t like it any more than we did! My instinct was to run and take them from my neighbour, and I had to fight that feeling, it was very strong. But common sense took over and I walked away heavy hearted.
Someone said to me later, “But they’re only chickens”. I felt hurt. ONLY chickens? They lived and breathed, and were part of our brood. We were as passionate about them as we are about our dogs. However, I was shocked by my own feelings at losing them;I wouldn’t have thought I could feel so sad at losing plain old farmyard chickens, but it seems I’m wrong – even they have that “pet power”!
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We can’t help who we love and when we lose them… I have a friend who has over 70 chickens, it’s her passion. Every time she loses one, it’s a whole grieving process for her. I’ve gained a new found appreciation and love for chickens through her and am feeling for you with this post. Paulette
I never really appreciated chickens until I inherited mine, and found out through caring for them, that they had personality plus! I was distraught when I lost my girls but it was a while ago now, but I will always hold the humble chicken in high esteem.
Barb,
I just came across your post about losing chickens and the feelings attached. I can SO relate. I have four hens and a rooster. The hens were babies the spring I broke and dislocated my ankle seriously enough to require three surgeries. Iwas out of commission for weeks. Theychicks lived in our laundry room for awhile. I believe hearing their chirp, chip, chirps from my hospital bed (in our living room) kept me from going stir-crazy. They kind of brought the outside in for me. Thanks for your honest share! Janet
Having them so close to you and hearing them all the time, you probably all bonded as well! I’m glad they were such good company for you! People say chickens have no brain, that they are just stupid chickens, and I think you have to own some to realize that they are nothing like that. Our girls had personality plus!
Hey! we have the same blog theme AND I have chickens “in my backyard I might add” I am passionate about pets to. I have had similar problems with the chickens and felt sick for them. Yes chickens are mean little critters when someones ill. When I noticed my poor “old lady, I name mine to” just kinda squatting for days I knew she was on her way out. My husband and I couldnt do the dirty deed either, so I locked her up alone in the coup so not to get picked on and she passed through the night. I’m glad to have found someone with my interests in pets. Chickens in particular, do you also have ducks by chance?
Hey Denise, great to connect! I love your blog, you are very funny! To answer your question I don’t have ducks – but we have some resident wild ducks on the property. They have just had babies – 12 of them; I never knew they were such good parents till I saw it with my own eyes. Very protective, and the parents stay together to raise their young.
I loved this post about chickens, we used to keep them when we lived in the country and yes we named them too, Our last chicken was Peggoty. The others had all gotten old and gone and she outlived them all but she got a chest infection and we couldn’t part with her so we took her to the vet.. We got some strange looks and the vet was amused too but he gave her an antibiotic shot and she recovered. She lived on for a few months but got another infection much worse so we had to say goodbye, still have lots of pictures of her… and the other chickens… So you aren’t alone in personifying chickens… M
Thanks Marie, glad you enjoyed my chickens post. How old was Peggoty when you lost her? Do you have a photo of her to share here?
Hi Barb, I can’t remember exactly how old she was but I think around six years, I do have photos but will have to look them out. She used to come in the house and was a real character, my kids loved her. Will post a pic as soon as I can find it. M
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I’m sorry to hear about your chickens. They are incredibly smart and beautiful creatures!
I always thought chickens they were funny little creatures with no brain and no personality – until I got my own – boy, was I wrong!
To my amazement, I found out that chickens do have a brain which they can use to their advantage, they can be affectionate and ours were trusting with us, but wary of strangers. They used to follow me around like a dog, and they weren’t scared of our dog either!
As soon as we get their coup fixed up, we will get some more. I love keeping chickens! They are quite entertaining!
Bless your heart. I’m sad to hear about your chickens. I understand how you feel about them and admire the care you took in making your choices.
I was raised in the country and we had chickens. It really is amazing how much character and personality chickens have. They are special beings, helpful and fun. They become part a functioning part of the family and we do miss them them when they pass away.
I never knew chickens had a personality till I had my own – and they sure proved me wrong! They are wonderfully funny little creatures with minds of their own. I will miss our girls – they were our first so will always be a bit special – but we are going to get some more soon.
Ah…thank you for kind offer Barb…you never know, I may take you up on it someday.
I used to have a lovely Llasa Apso called Barny who looked very much like your beautiful Shitzu. He passed away a few years back as did my little Yorkie, Molly. I miss having animals around and sadly I cannot have dogs where I am currently living. Instead I have to content myself with being a surrogate pet owner to my friends animals.
Hope you’ve had a great weekend
Llasa’s seem to be a relatively unknown breed, so it was interesting to hear that you had one, because we did too – but sadly, we lost her 18 months ago. She was called Penny and was 12. I’ve never gotten over losing her; as much as I have loved all my previous pets, she was one of those special dogs, you know?
I hope one day you will be able to have more pets in your life, as they bring so much joy with them.
I love the story of your chickens…and no, they aren’t just chickens.
A friend of mine is equally passionate about her chickens…they are treated like kings…and they are so cheeky! She has a house full of animals and it is such a pleasure to visit her to soak up all the ‘love’. I imagine your place must be the same.
Great post
It’s hard not to get attached to any animals Julie, I just feel the need to care for them all! Chickens have got so much character, each one with her own personality, so it was hard to let my girls go. You can come to my place to soak up all the ‘love’ anytime – there is plenty here – and it’s very therapeutic!
Ah! They weren’t run-of-the-mill, they were your chickens! I’m sorry you lost your chickens.
But you did the right thing in giving them to your neighbour to take care of it. I know I wouldn’t be able to do something like that.
It’s great to see you writing again, you are such a good story teller. Where is the postaweek2011 tag? It’s not too late to join the challenge. You can always backdate your pledge.
Yeah, I know we did the right thing with and I will get over it. I miss the girls though – have to get some more soon!
Well, you will be proud of me Rose – I joined the postaweek challenge thanks to you! Your last post about Winners and Losers did it for me, so thanks for that because it motivated me into taking action! How do I backdate my pledge?
I’m glad you decided to take action!
To backdate your pledge and add the postaweek2011 tag to your previous posts, go to Posts – hover your mouse under the title of your post – click on the Quick Edit. You can change the publish date and add the tag at the same time.
Welcome to the WordPress Challenge!