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Posts: 3,540Okay, if you're a farmer, this won't matter one bit, but I adore my hens. I've raised them from day old chicks, even driving the five hour journey to get them. And you wouldn't believe how incredibly spoilt they were.....air conditioning, heater in the winter, etc etc. And we won't even mention the food 
But yesterday I noticed one of my girls, Broody Broomhilde, was 'off colour' yesterday. I suspected egg bound, as she very rarely lays an egg, and when she does its tiny. Okay, if I was a farmer, she would have been culled long, long time ago as she just wasn't a producer. But she loved to brood the eggs as each one was laid, and the little weeble wobble toy I left in there for them. I mean, she'd talk to the weeble wobble toy, just like a hen does to her chicks in the eggs 
Since a couple more hens started laying funny and on their sides yesterday, I thought maybe it was just the unusual heat that was making them act that way. 
This morning, I had three hens meet me at the door, but Broom was in a corner, legs straight out. I thought she'd all ready died, and steeled myself to just get in there and get her buried....and then she moved. I've just spent at least three or four hours trying to coax her with honey (which did change her comb colour), and getting some water down her. But there was just something 'wrong'. I couldn't see or feel an egg for the egg binding problem, but .....well a mommy just 'knows' doesn't she?
She perked up for a bit, and then was able to rest in my lap. The other girls came over for a look, but didn't seem overly distressed. Finally the last came....and I've buried her at the fenceline. Tomorrow I'll do a better job because of course all this drama happened during a particularly spectacular Midwest storm.
RIP Broody Broomhilde......heavens knows your character was larger than life, and you've brought me so much laughter and joy. I'm glad I was there for you even to the very end. :hug:
Country BearsAwwwww..... :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: A sad day.....
puca bearsDebbie- that is SO sad - Iam really sorry - each of our "pets" whether furred or feathered (or scaley) is special...big sympathetic hugs to you
Maria :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Past Time Bears
Posts: 3,540 Thanks girls :hug: I haven't been able to properly cry yet, but will probably bawl myself silly once I start. And yes, she was always far, far more than 'just' a chicken. I'm afraid in our area, even the vets aren't great at treating chickens. Its simply a shrug, kill it and buy yourself a new one, as its far cheaper. I know they mean well, but its not what a caring owner wants to hear
:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Jane
bears by beesley TMAwe! So sorry Hun! I hope you weather your storm too!
Hugs Louise
Oh that is so sad 
Hugs Lyn 
Waggle BearsSo sorry, Debbie. Broody Broomhilde (what a great name) seemed very special. I don't know much about chichens, but I sure know how quickly you can become attached and you'd raised her from a chick. :hug:
Back Road Bears:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Oh Debbie I am SO sorry!!!!!!!! I know for many of us our pets become our family... be they furry or feathered. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Patsy Lake Bears:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Posts: 3,540Thanks for the many hugs....they really do help :hug:
Bay Street BearsDebbie, I'm so sorry you lost your hen. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Wendy
Bearz by Ilze:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
Rose Bear CottageDebbie, I am so sorry to here about your Broody Broomhilde. When my children wer young they both had red hens from chicks. They make the most wonderful pets. My daughter was only three and she would get her hen to lay the eggs in her hand. She thought that was the greatest. :hug: :hug: :hug:
It's terrible when anything dies, so matter what it was... I remember a girl laughing at me went I got really upset when one of my fish died, but he was as big as one of her 'more important' hamsters anyway!
It was obviously just her time, and it sounds like she had a good life... and a craking name!
WienOh my, Debbie, :hug:
poor Broodie, she feels no pain anymore!
Isn´t it strange, how attached we can get to living species?
All the best for you and your love ones!!!!
Gaby
aerBearsOh! I so sorry you lost your hen. Chickens are special and it warms my heart to hear about someone who loves them and takes care of even the poor performers.
Aeri
LutonDebbie,
I'm sorry you lost your lovely hen!!!
Hugs
Claire
Bumpkin Bearsoh Debbie, I would be exactly the same as you, you did a wonderful job as Mum to her and I'm sure she appreciated your comfort.
BIG HUGS
Catherine
xxxxx :hug: :hug: :hug:
Matilda Huggington-beareOH Debbie! :hug: You are truely one of the world's really special people. You're rare and Broomhilde was one very lucky wee chook for having you to love her. :hug: Wendy
Yorkshireoh Debbie,
Sorry to hear about little Broomhide
Big Hugs :hug: Ali x
:hug: :hug:
Bears by EdieThat is so sad, Debbie - sending you lots of hugs to help you through - :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
