My Girl

by Sharon
(Mi)

My Girl

Today I know for sure my chicken died of Sudden Death Syndrome.

I witnessed it as I was walking to the house from the backyard.
She was inside her fenced in chicken house - she is a survivor of a weasel attack when she was young. She and her sister are the only survivors of 16 chickens. We had to build a Fort Knox to keep them safe.

For about a year now they did lose the privilege of free roaming due to a family of foxes in our area. The sisters were about 9 or 10 years old. She was a Leghorn I believe. A beautiful white chicken. :-)

As I was walking up I saw her fly up in the air and fall to the straw. She fluttered a few times, and then she was still. I knew in my heart she had just died. Her sister just stood over her as though to say, "what is wrong?" She was confused.

My son came over and removed her for me. When my husband gets home, we will bury her.

I cried tears. I have had these chickens for so long and had protected them so they could live a long and good life. I do know she had a good life.

I believe she had a heart attack. She seemed 100% fine this morning. They wanted out, but I knew I would not be home to watch over her sister and her from the predators, so I told them, "not today."

It is a part of life to lose things we love even a chicken. I accept it, but it sure saddens my heart. Now I wonder how her sister will do without her. She will be so lonely. They have had each other for almost 10 years.

I let the last surviving sister out to free range after her sister's death. She is happy and comfortable enjoying the rest of the day in the shade under a tree.

As a Christian, I believe all living things have a purpose in life, even a chicken. I am reminded of this verse:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

God does care for all things, no matter how small they may be. All life is precious.

Comments for My Girl

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My sympathy
by: Anonymous

I believe that the wounds in our hearts heal, and God will comfort us in the time of grief. He knows your pain and He suffered greatly on earth. He is collecting all your tears in a jar. God bless you.

Thank you Sharon
by: Kathy

Thank you so much Sharon for sharing your story about My Girl. It was so full of love.

Thank you for the scripture.

I just came in from finding my Sissy (one year old buff orpington) passed away in her run. I turned to the internet to find out what could have happened to her.

Finding this site and your story through my tears has helped so much.

Thank you Sharon.

My Condolences
by: Alana

Hello Sharon

I am so very sorry to read about your loss ~ your girl was indeed very beautiful and i understand the feelings of loss and sadness you will be feeling at this time.

I do hope in time that you shall take comfort from the many special memories you shared together ... may they bring you comfort in the days ahead.

I was very touched by your story ~ and i agree that every life is precious. You were blessed to have shared happy times with a loyal and loving friend and she would have felt the love you had for her and her sister ...

"Until one has loved an animal a part of one's
soul remains unawakened"

Blessings to you
Alana x

Thank you for your lovely tribute, Sharon.
by: Cath

Thank you so much for sharing the story of your lovely chicken, Sharon. Sudden Chicken Death Syndrome is such a hard thing to take in. One moment we have a perfectly healthy hen, the next she has gone. Heartbreaking.

Even worse when, like yours, the chicken has been the survivor of other attacks. We have pine martens here in Italy, also member of the weasel family, and I know exactly how destructive they can be.

Looking on the positive side, you obviously took so much care of your hens - to live for ten years is a very long time for a chicken. She was loved and cared for while she was with you, and that's a lot more than many hens can say.

Crying tears is what's needed. We need to give ourselves permission to grieve for our flock when something like this happens.

I'm thinking of you, and sending hugs and love.

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