Red, my beloved Honker

by A. M.
(Texas)

I got Red only 7 months ago, but she quickly became one of the brightest parts of my daily routine.

I found out early on that she had a slight genetic deformity that made her foot stop growing and her toes curl. She had this little wobble when she walked, and if she wanted extra attention, she would even pick it up and hobble while honking.

(And yes, after we started noting when she would do it, it became evident she was just a great actress!).

She was a very high maintenance chicken, because of her foot, she couldn't walk like the others, and wasn't very good at piloting, so I was her personal carrier, and chauffer.

If she was bored, she would honk this strange loud noise, and had the attitude to match our rooster. She and her pal (Princess) were two peas in a pod, never anywhere without the other.

Don't even get me started on her love of adventuring the yard, and messing with our miniature donkeys, that was one of her favorites. She would hop in my lap when she wanted to cuddle, and insisted on laying her head on my hand.

Since she couldn't hold on to my hand like a normal chicken, we devised a little method. Red would hold on to the side of my palm, and balance her bad foot on my middle finger while we walked.

Every morning, and every night, she would honk as a greeting, and she was one of those chickens that loved to talk, tell you all about her day and what went on. You could have a whole conversation, and she would reply without hesitating.

I love my Red, and her being one of my first chickens makes this all the harder. Her personality was unmatched, and she was overflowing with energy.

I wish she could have stayed with me longer, but her life came to an end when one of the neighbor's dogs got a hold of her.

She is very near and dear to my heart, and always will be. One of those companions you hate to let go, but know you must.

Thank you for reading my lovely Rhode Island Red's story, there's so much more to her huge personality that I'm not sure how to put into words, but this just about sums it up...

Sincerely,

Ally.

My buddy Henrietta

by Jean Adcock
(Troy, Pa, USA)

Henrietta was about 18 months old. She definitely had her "issues", but she was a sweetheart.

I miss her terribly and will never forget her.

Poke (Pocahontas) My wild child

by Nancy
(Goldendale, Wa)

Poke was a small Leghorn with beautiful snow white feathers, and oh that tall tail - how I always wanted to touch it! But she never let me touch any part of her, even when she was eating out of my hand.

I always respected her wishes not to be handled, instead, telling her how beautiful she is.

She laid large, perfectly wonderful eggs. She loved the sprinkler, my only lady that wasn't afraid of its refreshing soft "rainfall" on a warm/hot day.

Well yesterday, as I was refilling their waterers, laughing at their silliness as they chased grasshoppers across the yard, she was fine. Everything about her was normal, then suddenly...she just dropped dead!

I was devastated...HOW...WHAT...WHY????? I laid her to rest in the veggie garden next to the corn rows, her favorite place to dust bath and relax in the shade.

She was my wild child, classy, sassy and and a LOT smarta$$y!

Here she is with some of her flockmates, these are the Fantastic Four. Henny Penny and Jenny (RIRs) Poke and Tallie (LH) (lost Henny Penny 2 weeks ago).

My beloved Harriet

by Misty
(Virginia )

Harriet was my favorite of our fifteen from day one. She was never fond of her flock and hated confrontation, so she would always seek me (my shoulder) to make her feel safe and loved.

She was a beautiful Easter Egger and worked so hard to lay beautiful eggs.

She died unexpectedly, right after laying an egg. My heart hurts.

Roo

Just over a year ago, a beautiful large White Sussex rooster walked through our gate and stayed.

We have three acres fenced in country and two dogs and three cats. Roo quickly settled in and hung with other pets. He would always come when we stepped outside hoping for treat.

He didn’t want petted but he did stay close by and seemed to respond and enjoy our talking to him. He never showed any aggression. His crowing was something we truly enjoyed.

Just found him dead. No injuries. We have had high temps and severe thunderstorms past couple of nights and given size of his comb and waddle, we think he was very mature bird.

Unknown if storm induced heart failure or maybe old age.

We loved him and will sorely miss him. RIP Roo. You were beautiful and loved.

Beans - the best chicken I could have ever asked for

by Carly
(Canada)

Beans was the first chicken I ever had and although I only had Beans for 6 months she was my favorite of the 7 I now have.

She was a bit slower than all the others and that's what made her so lovable and I was always able to pick her up and give her lots of kisses.

She was killed by a hawk and it makes me so sad she went that way. All I can hope for is that her death was quick and that her soul is free and in a better place.

Love you Beans!

In Loving Memory Of Lincoln

by Pauline
(Trinidad)

Lincoln was more than a chicken, he had this speciality about him. He made everyone, even those with the “it's just a chicken” mind, stand up and look at him differently.

His intelligence was unique. If you were having a bad day all you had to do was take a little time out and observe Lincoln and you would most certainly have a good laugh and cheer up guaranteed.

He took care of his wife Little with great dedication and to the best of his ability.

My family and I miss you very much.Words can't express the space you left in our heart.

Until we meet again my handsome boy. I love you!

Opal

Opal was a beautiful Barred Rock hen.

She was very sweet and friendly and loved her dust baths. Her favorite snack was blueberries and she would always fight all my other hens to get the most.

Our three gals passed away today

by Evangeline
(Australia)

My mum’s three gals were lovely. All named after women on my mum’s side, the chickens carried on the memories of the relatives no longer with us.

We had a Frizzle, who was orange and white, and so fluffy and small. We got her in 2016 so she was like a little granny to the two others.

We had an Isa Brown who was stunning as ever, and a black hen that I believe was an Australorp. They were best friends and had so much fun together.

Unfortunately, in the early hours of the morning today I woke up to a fox killing the little Frizzle, and found the other two already passed.

Not only is this a memoir to the gals, it is a reminder to always lock your chicken coop, because it could happen at any time.

At least the girls are at peace and all together, but I wish we could have saved them, as they are so kind and happy.

All my love to those who are also grieving the loss of a pet (or in me and my mum’s case, three).

Pigeon the Hen

by Ella
(New Mexico, USA)

Pigeon was the runt of our flock. The other hens and rooster picked on her a lot, both by bullying and actually pecking.

Even with their past hostility to her, she was still a member of their flock, and you can see that they, too, miss her dearly. They coo for her when they enter the coop, as if she got lost free ranging again.

I was the one who gave her the name Pigeon. She had a fluffy neck and walked with a bob akin to that of a pigeon. I thought it would be funny to name a hen a different type of bird. All the other hens, and even the rooster, went through several names before one stuck, but Pigeon was Pigeon from the day we were given her.

She lived a long life by chicken standards, but as humans, it’s hard not to feel she wasn't gone before her time.

She was always a little slow and a little dumb. Her eggs were off color and misshapen. She strayed away from the flock all too often and didn’t come when called, but we loved her anyway.

We can not be certain what happened, so we can only hope she left us comfortably.

Two nights in a row, you were nowhere to be found when it came time to herd you into your coop. Our yard is only one acre, so you couldn’t be hiding. It was then we knew you weren’t coming home.

Chickens may be near flightless, but we hope you fly high in hen-ven. May your insects be crunchy, and your strawberries sweet.