Wednesday, December 6th Ode to Two Chickens

Two of my hens passed away this week.  Both were from my second batch of chicks, three springs ago.  So they had already given me the best of their laying days. I discovered this little gal not feeling very well a couple of weeks ago.

While I am not totally sure of the identity of the Golden Comet that died, I can say, her final days were spent in a comfortable spa setting where she extended her life by several days.  In the end, I returned her to her flock mates in a special, heated brooder.  She seemed very happy to be back with the girls, but she lasted there not even over night.  Here is a photo of her enjoying a sitz bath in the slop sink.  She liked the warm water. 

I love all my hens, but Dottie was a favorite. For a little bird she had such personality and character.  She loved to free range and was always the one to find the hole in the fence and get out.  We spent lots of time putting her back into the chicken yard and tracking down the holes to mend.

Here she is, trying to share some of Don's lunch.
One time Maurine saved her from a fox that had her by the tail feathers.....the dangers of sneaking out of your coop!

Two days ago I found her in the morning, lying listless in the yard, very cold.  I moved her out of the fenced in area so her mates wouldn't disturb her and placed her next to them, in the warm sun. Her hen friends came over to say good-bye.   I went down several hours later, after dusk, and she was still lying there and alive.   So I brought her into the house and put her on some comfy warm towels where she died the next morning.  I will miss little Dottie.