After having a super day on Saturday at the Vintage & Handmade Fair we had some sadness on Sunday & Monday as our two oldest chickens died within a day of each other (of old age).
Both of them were refugees from the neighbouring free range chicken farm & were about 7 years old - they had both lived a good 5 years longer than they would have if they'd stayed on the farm as they only keep them for two years.
Duck was our famous hen who survived a dunking in the pond & we decided she had an identity crisis so was named Duck (she even had a mention in our article in Homes & Antiques magazine!). Nettle was living under the hedge after the rest of the flock were sent away for slaughter so we rescued her too.
Duck was our particular favourite as she was very friendly & liked nothing more than to stand on your feet, eat out of your hand or be picked up for a cuddle.
People who don't know chickens don't realise what lovely pets they make & each one has their own personality & place in the pecking order of the flock. Our little flock is now reduced to four - our two original hens who are about 5 now & the two youngest which we bought last year. The chicken run looks a little empty.... yesterday I bought the rest of the girls (Tinkerbell, Hermione, Henrietta & Nutmeg) a bag of corn to cheer them up.
I'm glad though that the two old girls had full & happy chickeny lives, free to wander around, scratch up the soil & indulge in dust baths or lie in the sun with their wings spread out unlike millions of hens which are still kept in battery conditions - roll on the ban!
Awwwwww, what a moving post. My heart is with yours now.
ReplyDeleteYour post reminded me when I used to have chickens as pets during my childhood. They indeed make amazing pets!
Lots of hugs,
xx
Hello Jayne
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to read about Duck & Nettle. I remember the post about Duck falling in the pond. They have had a much fuller and happier life with you rather than at a farm. I too am very much against battery hens. We live close to a chicken farm and I really dislike the fact that they are kept indoors permanently. The farm manager said that they are well kept but I totally disagree with any animal being kept in like that.
I am sure that you are going to miss them very much. I have never had hens so am not used to having them around as a pet. Your post and Niki's past posts confirm that they do make good pets! I'll be honest, I have always expected them to peck at my ankles if near one.. ;-)
Take care
Warm wishes
Isabelle x
It was lovely to see you on Saturday, very pleased with my floral prints
Oh dear. I had little tear after reading that. What lovely names you have or your chickens
ReplyDeletesorry to hear about your hens but good for them to escape to such a lovely home lets hope a few more head your way and get saved from their dreadful fate .I would love to have hens and maybe one day I may get my wish
ReplyDeletesorry for your loss on duck and nettle xx
ReplyDeletebut you gave them a wonderful life jayne ;0)xx
best wishes x
So sorry to hear about Duck and Nettle.I didn't realize that chickens were such characterful creatures!They certainly had the best life with you.
ReplyDeleteBellaboo ;0)
I cannot believe we still allow battery chickens. I so miss the hens I had in a "previous life". They were the one thing I was sad about leaving and I did hear the ex lost them to the fox. Maybe his last way of getting at me.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the chickens, I'm sure they had lovely lives with you and got to live out their days in freedom.
ReplyDeleteOne of my guinea pigs had to be put to sleep on saturday, so I share a little bit of your sadness x
Oh no, that's sad but at least they had a happy end to their days with you.
ReplyDeleteHen x
Sorry to hear this, but at least they had full and happy lives with you of which you should be proud.
ReplyDeletesniff...x
ReplyDeleteSad news Jayne, even though they were older ladies it's still a shame when they die . Having hens myself I can't imagine a garden without them, they really are full of personality as you say. Lovely story though that you rescued the pair of them and they had a happy life.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
Sorry to her that. When one of our ex-bats ws ill last year we took her to the vets and she had to be put to sleep. People thought we were mad but they are real pets arn't they.
ReplyDeleteLove to the others !
Sue x
What a nice story Jayne. Knowing that you made such a difference to their lives must help a little bit to deal with the loss of two lovely pets. Lesley
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of the passing of Duck and Nettle - it seems to be going around now doesn't it? They had a warm loving home with your family, and in the end that's all that matters.
ReplyDeleteJayne,
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a good thing. Sorry for your loss. All animals want is love, and you are a great example of doing, just that for them :)
xo
Robin
I am so very sorry about your hens Duck and Nettle. You must miss them a lot. I'm so glad you thought to cheer the other gals up with the corn. What a sweet gesture that was to take some food to the mourning family. I am so glad that you give your chickens a happy and healthy place to live their lives.
ReplyDeleteThe poor little dears, I am so sorry. x
ReplyDeleteAwww sorry to hear this, I've only had my 3 hens five days and I would miss them so much if they weren't here now. I'm glad you managed to give them a good happy home for the past few years.
ReplyDeleteYvonne x
Sorry to hear your sad news..at least they had a lovely life with you...
ReplyDeleteWhat sad news, sorry to here that :(
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain,Jayne.I kept hens many years ago and cannot wait to do it again when my life allowsThey are wonderful company.RIP Girls xx
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about that but sounds like they had great lives.
ReplyDelete