I'll Miss You

Heartbroken. That is the best word to describe how I feel with my girls gone. Seven of my little ladies were taken by what we think was a Fox last week. It is truly devastating having any type of loss. I had a lot of love for those hens, still do. It breaks my heart knowing they went in fear. I only wish I was there to protect them. I understand that it is the circle of life, and that there is always risk you take when allowing your birds to free range. I guess I never excepted to go to close them in for the night and have half of them gone. The girls who are still around looked terrified. I knew something was wrong.

   I shouldn’t have favorites because I love all the hens. Each one had their own little personality. But, Betty Boop was my girl. She was my favorite hen. Always happy to greet me. The most curious chicken in the bunch who was always up to no good, typically with her sister Luna. All I had to say was “come here” or shake their bag of treats and there they were.

My mom did her best to comfort me. She made a joke about my Grandpa King now taking care of the chickens in heaven. “He knows how to do it!” Very sweet and incredibly true, he does.

They really were the best chickens. It is interesting to hear people talk about how mean some hens can be and how they are fearful to be around them. I at first was a little apprehensive getting chickens myself. However, our girls are very similar to little dogs. They would follow me around the yard. Come over to the car when I would get home from work. Jump up on my lap or shoulder just to hang out. Safe to even bring our nieces and nephews in to hang out with them. Great little creatures. They were not huge fans of Beanie, our pup but he knew to keep his distance because the girls “ruled the roost.”

Each day will get a little bit easier having them gone. We still have little hens that need our compassion and protection more than ever now. I am thankful that they were not all taken, sad for the ones we lost, and grateful for the time I did have with them all. Rest in peace my feathered friends! - Love your Chicken Mama