Shanks

by Lloyd
(Eugene, OR)

My sweet baby boy Shanks unfortunately passed a couple days ago. He was my pet and best friend along with his partner Buggy who is still with us, as well as not only my first pet chicken but my first pet of my own in general. He was like a son to me and he and Buggy were, and are, the light of my life.

He was such a beautiful and vibrant bird. I hadn't seen a lot of Seramas before I had gotten either of them but man he was just so beautiful. I raised him and Buggy from when they were chicks, I had picked them out of a batch because they were an inseparable dynamic duo that were just the cutest thing together.

His little sounds and his goofy little crow getting louder and louder as he got bigger was truly the most precious thing I've seen in this lifetime.

One of the greatest feelings ever was my mother calling me on speaker phone to discuss the birds while I wasn't home, and once they heard my voice on the phone they both started getting all riled up like they knew it was my voice. Every time they would see me in the window they would both dance around their cage until I would come out to see them.

He was such a showoff as well, as if he knew he was the most handsome thing on earth. Anytime he'd meet someone knew he'd essentially do a whole dance and a show to let them know that he was the coolest thing in town.

He was so brave too. It was only him and Buggy, but the second anything unknown came into the backyard it didn't matter how far away it was, Shanks would be standing between whatever it was and Buggy. They were safe in the cage, but it didn't stop him from challenging dogs, hawks, squirrels, he was the king of that backyard.

Time took him far too soon. Maybe not for the average lifespan of a chicken, but for my heart and soul it was far too early. He was only roughly 2 years old when I woke up to find him unresponsive on the floor of his coop. I don't think I'll ever be able to unsee that image or forget the torrent of emotions I went through that day when the brightest light in my life was snuffed out in an instant.

I miss you so much Shanks. I'll miss your annoyingly loud crows in the morning, the soft coos you would make as I held you, the joyous dance you would do when eating your favorite blueberries.

Fly high baby boy, I loved you more than you'll ever know. I'll protect Buggy so please don't worry baby.

Thank you for everything. Life won't be the same without you.

Shadow

by Max
(Nevada)

You were the sweetest and most funny of the bunch. We loved you so much. Sweet dreams my Shadow girl.

Nugget and Dipper

by Lily
(England)

We weren’t totally sure on the sex of these two but they were the last two survivors out of 4. The other two had died at a few days old.

These two were only a few months when we found Dipper under the heat on his side with his eyes open. He wasn’t standing or eating and only drinking when forced to.

A few hours later he passed in my arms after doing everything I could.

Then the day after the same happened to Nugget, except she wasn’t drinking. The only thing she moved was her legs, and she opened her eyes every now and then. She passed too, after having a seizure a few minutes before. I held her in my arms as well.

It’s heart breaking to see.

Stop thinking about it.....it's just a chicken!!!

by Naina
(India)

I believe every living creature deserves love. I just got my hen in may 2023 and named Nyx( cuz she looked like a beautiful princess). she is a black hen with velvety soft features and she has the most adorable eyes. I may sound so strange but whenever I look at her, I always feel like I am looking at someone who has been with me for years.

She was a very calm, kind, loving and reserved kind of bird. She loved yogurt, onion and would never leave me alone when she notices something is in my hand(she must know what it is). She was always chirpy and answers whenever I call.

But, her favorite person was my mom, she would never leave her side and they would talk a lot(like a looooooot).

My brother usually doesn't like chickens but he fell in love with her bcuz she was so calm, charming and just wonderful.

She started laying eggs this month and everything was going well. But she stopped eating 2 days ago. I asked my grandma and I was worried. I am raising her for the first time so I am always anxious even if a little thing goes wrong. But my grandma assured me that brooding hens often does that.

Yesterday when I came from outside she stood up and stared at me with those beautiful eyes. I casually picked her up and thought it wanted to be pet (she usually comes near me to be pet and play with me). But suddenly she leaned on me and it felt like the spark in her eyes was leaving.

I rushed her to the vet and the doctor told me nothing can be done and I begged him to at least try. He tried cpr on her but she was gone. She was forever gone:(

I was a crying mess didn't eat it now and everyone is scolding me for crying "just for a chicken". I feel so connected with her I cannot forget eyes which full of life. I cannot forget her little walks around our house. I cannot forget her arguments with mom. Tears are rolling down my cheeks even when I am writing this.

If anyone tells you it's just a chicken, you have no need to explain why she or he is important to you. Why they deserve love. You just love your chicken and you know its death takes a toll on you. Try to heal in your way( easier said than done).

My Nyx will forever be in my heart❤️. No matter what anyone says she was not just a chicken, she was a beautiful creature filled with love.

I will deeply miss you Nyx... you have a very special place in our lives. You made me forget my sorrows with your presence. I hope you get to live a long and happy life in your next life and have the best people around you.

My little princess, 2023

Mommy's little princess is what I called her, my beautiful hen Cock-o-Dae.❤️

I woke up this christmas morning to find my girl lifeless in her bed. She was perfectly healthy, I checked for signs of anything wrong with her, but found nothing. I don't understand 😢

My little mischievous girl followed me everywhere. I would have to take her and kiss her goodnight every night, and every morning she would jump up to my bedrooms window and knock on the window with her beck. She just loved clucking back when spoken to.

My heart is shattered with the loss of her. She always brought a smile to my face and made me laugh.
I will miss her immensely.😢

I will miss you my princess 💔💔

Chickie Pooh

by Lisa-Marie
(Eastern Townships)

She was a beautiful red chicken. I had her for many many years. She grew up with our Grandson. She listened to me more than our dogs do 😀. When I would call her she would come running, sometimes even flying.

She was alone for a few years because a fox got her friend, Cinnamon ❤️. She ended up being a great companion to the horses, cats and dogs and lived in the barn. She was so smart.

Never in a million years would I have thought that I would have any feelings for a chicken , yet here I am still crying after 3 hours of losing her. My mother even loved her. She thought it was special the way Chickie Pooh would jump up on the patio table while we were eating.

Her favorite treat was hot oatmeal mixed with mashed bananas.

Rest in Peace Chicken Pooh ❤️❤️(Caramel was her real name but the nickname took over many years ago.) we will miss you. You were a great friend 🥰