Olive

by Barbara
(Bathgate uk)

Olive was the biggest of my Orpingtons and the loudest! She managed to get top of the pecking order but wasn’t overly picky on the other chickens.

She died on 2 June 2020. Even though I was expecting her die as she hadn’t been well, I wasn’t expecting to feel so sad myself and also my other girls.

Ruby, one of my other Orpingtons, had been sitting with her more often so I think she sensed the end was looming. Ruby is totally lost today. She keeps going into the coop and sitting where olive used to sleep.

I had three Orpingtons including Olive and strangely today, there were 3 eggs even though Olive wasn’t there.

Almost like a feather found coming from an angel when a human dies.

Rest in peace Olive ❤️❤️❤️ X

AdaMae

by Lorelai
(Austin)

I got my first flock of three two weeks ago. Yesterday when letting them out in the morning, none of the pullets wanted to leave the coop. This has happened on some occasions so we thought nothing of it.

One hour later when checking on them, we found my favorite bird deceased in the coop with the others around her.

There was no warning or symptoms. I’ve read that this is a possibility and I know I can’t be at fault for this one but still in shock.

I knew her for such a short time but she definitely had spunk and I will miss her greatly.

Fluffy little Einstein

by Willemina
(Dokkum, Friesland, Holland)

Einstein was the tiniest, sweetest Serama chicken I owned.

I was gifted this chicken on my 25th birthday, she was around 4 months old when I got her.

She was so sweet, she even went with me to an elderly people housing where the elderly would pet and kiss her, it was adorable.

When my brother was at my place for a sleepover I could regularly find them, Einstein and my brother, napping together, cuddling.

Einstein also was so fearless and even though she was the tiniest chicken, she wasn't scared of anything, a total badass!

Her life was way too short and I don't know why it ended but she was loved and she loved her life. Bathing in mud, destroying flowers, she gets away with it because she's so adorable and sweet.

My sadness is a bit bigger than I thought it would be 😢

Einstein you will be missed my sweet little silk feathered Serama baby. ❤️

Daisy Girl

by Crystina Sorrenti
(East Setauket)

Daisy girl was a beautiful hen. Sweet and elegant. We loved her so much. She brought me so much love and happiness!!

You will never be forgotten and we will always remember that happy times you gave us. We will miss you, Daisy girl, until we meet again!!

I love you so much.

Love Crystina and Hector 💛❤️💕

Sudden chicken death at Xanadoo, Australia

by Jude
(Queensland, Australia)

We have been raising Australorpe chickens for about 4 years. They are an Australian breed, either black or blue (silver) and are large gentle birds, even the roosters.

Previously we have lost some to snakes (pythons & browns)but this week, 2 of our hens just dropped dead. They were healthy the day before, no diseases, no mites, no marks of attacks, just dead.

So I guess this is what is called Sudden Chicken Death. Have never heard of it, but it helps a little to think there was a reason, even if we couldn't help. They may just be chickens, but it still hurts.

Luckily our lovely ladies had given us a lot of eggs that we have put in an incubator, so their babies will live on.

Right now we have a very unhappy rooster as his girls are no more. It will be at least 19 weeks before we can put some of the now babies into the chicken run to start again.

Jamie the Orpington

by Madison
(Indiana)

Jamie was a Buff Orpington who we got at tractor supply in 2018. She was the most friendliest chicken you could ever meet... great show chicken and egg layer!

But the one thing I loved most about her...she would (partially) fall asleep on my lap. She soon got comfortable around me enough to do it!

But her life ended too soon... we're suspecting a raccoon got her, MANY feathers were scattered along the coop, including blood.

My mother found her body laying near the coop, no head... I was very shocked, I started crying, at the time, I didn’t know who it was (we have 10 now, not including Jamie.) So my mother asked if I could come out and tell who died... I instantly knew who it was, Jamie, the best of them all..

I was also very shocked, we have 4 Cochins other than Orpingtons who live beside them. That raccoon passed the little coop! It could’ve had 4 meals! And, Jamie was NOT the smallest Orpington we had, we have a ‘runt ‘ that could’ve been an easy meal. Also another hen of ours who has less feathers than normal. Who also could’ve been an easy meal also.

This made me refuse to do anything but cry in my room for about a week. My family wasn’t as close as me and my mom were but they understand the pain that I went through.

If I could say something to my chicken, I would say... ”Jamie, you're the most best thing that happened in my life, you were sure the queen of them all. You are a great chicken Jamie.

Hope you are now running in the endless pasture in heaven.“

Chicken

by Cherilyn
(Okeechibee, Florida, USA )

My rooster's name was Chicken. He was thrown from a car window and walked over to my property. At that time I was going through a rough patch mentally and decided to go on a walk, that's when I saw him.

He was so gentle and docile, he let me pick him up right away. I've never had a rooster so I didn't really know how to care for him but we bonded instantly and as time went by we really connected. He meant more to me than anyone could ever imagine.

I didn't mind getting woken up at 5am every morning and I sincerely enjoyed discovering his likes and dislikes little by little.

I'm going to miss you chicken and I hope to see you one day again in heaven. Thank you so much for all the amazing memories and being my little ray of sunshine when I was feeling down.

My beloved rooster Henry

by Gigi
(San Antonio tx)

He was 5 yrs old. A handsome buff Orpington. He was a loving little rascal.

You came home to us as a Henrietta and then one early morning I discovered that you were actually a Henry. I loved you since the first time I laid eyes on you Henry.

You always took good care of the girls, always making sure they got first picks at the snacks always sounding off an alert when you sensed danger. You were such a sweety.

And you were so mischievous jumping on our laps so we could pet you. I know you were a fighter and that you survived several dangerous episodes. I know that you put up a brave fight on the condition that you developed these past four weeks.

I'm sorry that I was not able to do more to help you live longer. We will miss you my little Henry. And I promise to keep your girls safe. Rest in peace Henry -love, your human mom.

Honey

by Mandi
(NJ)

Honey was 1 of the 3 hens from the first batch of 14 chicks we hatched.

She was very curious and would always make her way in the house if the door was left open. She didn’t mind when the kids picked her up and seemed to be the most interested in our family out of all my 9 hens.

Today I found her in the hen house, unexpectedly She had passed away. I don’t know what happened but She will be so missed.

Rest easy Honey. 🧡

Much loved Atilla the Hen and Cluck Norris

by Sarah
(UK)

We got 3 beautiful Pekin Bantams in early May, our very first chickens. Atilla the Hen, Chicken Nugget and Cluck Norris.

They were so funny, great to watch and wonderful company in this strange lockdown. They had free range of our garden and as we were at home, we popped out between every lesson and at any other time we could, to check on them, throw corn for them and spend time with them. My 11 year old daughter was smitten.

Yesterday something killed Atilla and Cluck, sadly my daughter found them on the lawn in a pile of feathers.

We are devastated, there’s no such thing as ‘only a chicken’, they were much loved pets.

Nugget survived as she is broody and currently sitting on an egg, but she seems confused at the loss of her friends.

Atty and Cluck, thank you for all the joy you brought us and for making us smile, we will never forget you and hope you lived your best chicken lives.

Love S, J and A xxx

Rudy the Rooster

by Nikki
(Michigan)

Rudy was rescued by a neighbor and found our egg laying hens (a backyard flock)and ultimately a home as "the" Rooster for the flock.

He was a great rooster, leading the hens to food, bringing them home to roost, alerting them to predators, and was never aggressive to the hens or people! He even let people hold him.

We were letting our new additions free range for the first time with the experienced flock, and I observed Rudy acting lethargic, his red comb a pale purple and he seemed to be gasping for air or trying to crow.

My son scooped him up, and he became limp, then he had a burst of flapping, and then he died.

We are heart broken. My chicken heart compressions were not enough. My 2 year old's first animal sound, is that of Rudy crowing at 4:30 am.

The hens will be lost without Rudy the Rooster. We know he was one of a kind.

Remembering Carrot Top our handsome rooster

by Vampiro
(Palmdale CA)

Carrot top was my husband’s 1 year old sweater/hatch handsome friend.

On 06/14/20 my husband did his morning round of feed and discovered Carrot tops’ lifeless little body. It was devastating for my husband. He was so proud of Carrot top,
I couldn’t find the right words for his grief.

He had no symptoms of any illness, he was his happy self eating his daily apple and nectarines. His death was certainly a shock.

And now thanks to this wonderful site I can share my husband and mine love for our friends🖤

Sticky Chick 6-4/6-10-2020

by Kathryn
(Tahlequah, Oklahoma )

Sticky Chick (Silkie/Frizzle) was a sweet baby who even having been born with curled toes & what seemed to be with her hip tried with all of her might to get stronger. She even had her own homemade her a swing.

Even though she's gone she will forever be in my ❤ and I hope to see her at the 🌈 bridge with my other fur babies 💕 that have left me.

June

by Caitey
(Charleston )

I am a first time chicken owner. Our hens are almost 2 months old now. While I love them all so much, my favorite girl was June.

She was the first I formed a connection with when she’d snuggle up into my neck when I picked her up. She was a robust gal and the sweetest, most docile one in the flock. She had a gentle peck and loved to lay in the sun more than anything.

I saw a hawk pick her up as I opened the door to go outside today. We chased it and it dropped her but her neck was already broken.

I feel so incredibly devastated by her loss and angry she didn’t get to live more of her life, though I hope she knew she was loved the time we did have her.