My Charlie, Donna, and two bitties, all gone within about 2 weeks...

by Donna Freeman
(Matthews, NC, USA)

Your story about your Charlie really got me. I'm not sure how I stumbled onto your page, but I am glad I did.

I felt silly for crying for hours (okay, days) after he passed. I still cry, because I feel guilty. He was a beautiful, white, feather legged bantam, and ruled the coop and yard.

My Father gave him to me, along with his mate, we call her Grandma. Charlie was named after the white chicken in the TV show Green Acres. I feel I could have saved him because he was indeed attacked by something.

It was broad daylight, a pretty day. I was here, working at home and usually hear everything, especially if my flock gets upset. I didn't hear anything.

My husband came home from work this past Monday and found him next to our driveway. His white feathers are still scattered all over, starting near the barn and their coop, then closer to the house, then the driveway.

He was clearly running for his life from something, and whatever it was was tearing his beautiful feathers out along the way.

I was devastated and still am. He was, and always will be, my favorite. Ironically I had saw an ad on the internet of a stuffed/plush animal, it was a chicken that looked very much like Charlie! A $50 stuffed animal/chicken! But I ordered anyway, weeks and weeks before his passing. The stuffed "Charlie" arrived the very same day that he passed. It's almost too much to believe. Charlie was about 5 years old.

Before his passing, Grandma had sat on 8 eggs. Two hatched. A little prematurely I believe. And they both passed within two days.

Then, yesterday morning, I couldn't find my beautiful Dominicker, Donna, and my son and I went searching. Since Charlie's brutal attack, I hadn't even let them out of their run and coop.

I found her, under one of the roosts in the far back. No signs of trauma, pecking, mites, nothing. I have no idea what caused her passing, but she was gorgeous and will be missed dearly. She was only about 10 months old.

So, I've lost two bitties, my prize feather legged rooster, and a gorgeous Dominicker hen, all in about 2 weeks. I feel like the worst chicken farmer ever, but I will keep trying for the rest of my crew!

Thanks for sharing your story and your Charlie! Lots of love and hugs! :)