Saddest of Days at Glenn Cottage Eggery

[rebbetzin]

I am so sad today!

Yesterday I put my four hens out early in the morning to play in the chicken tractor. As always I moved the tractor around to give them some grass weeds to eat. Our recent rain has made lots of nice weeds in the yard.

Anyhow, I lost track of time while doing other things, and they were in the sun too long. Two of my Buff Orpingtons couldn't take the heat. My Barred Rocks were fine. But, Ophelia was already dead when I went out to check them. And poor Olivia died in my arms as I was attempting to cool her off with water from the hose.

I feel so HORRIBLE today. I keep crying. It was completley preventable! I am so sorry I didn't put them back in the coop when it started to get warm. I am just heart broken!

For those in warm climates, please learn from my stupidity...

Some photos of my beloved Ophelia and Olivia for a Memorial.

Olivia and Ophelia as a chicks.

First Day Home
Three days old

As young Pullets

As Hens

Oliva

Ophelia being camera shy.

And last one that makes me really sad.
Me holding Olivia. earlier this year.

Now I have my two Barred Rocks, Rosalind and Roxanne, and Roxanne is egg bound.. or something... her tush is all swollen. I have tried to help her by warm water soaks, massage of her swollen tush, nothing helps, I feel no egg up there, she is eating and drinking and pecking just like normal.

This is not a good day!

 

[NurseNettie]

Very sorry. We all make mistakes. We can only move forward and learn from them. Big hugs.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I am so sorry. Everybody has made a mistake in their life and we all learn from them. Your hens will be in our prayers tonight.

 

[Holachicka]

*hugs*

I'm so sorry, It's worse when you feel responsible. Are you a BYC member? they have lots of advice on eggbound girls. wishing you the best of luck with your barred rocks.

 

[digitS']

These sorts of things happen, Rebbetzin.

They wouldn't have had the life that they did, without you. Probably, "momma" was a metal incubator. Little bits of instinct and curiosity and frolic, they aren't much more than that. Except, we assign them human traits.

My Olivia is one of the most curious hens I've ever had. But, she still has exactly the same personality as she did when she was a week old . . . maybe, with a few adult quirks and foibles.

You will be ready for more chicks after some time passes and heals. And, you will bring them curious and good things and contentment .

Steve

 

[journey11]

I had that happen one summer with a guinea pig when I was a kid. I know it's a terrible feeling, but accidents can happen so easily in these hot summer days. Sorry for your loss!

 

[curly_kate]

I'm so sorry for your loss!!

 

[ducks4you]

I'm so sorry for your loss!!

Ditto!!
I lost a hen last winter, when I was too busy to close the door. Just find them a nice place to "rest." I have two pet cemetaries, with a cat figure on one, and another marker for where my dog, Xena is buried, with her favorite cat. I have planted forget me nots there.

 

[rebbetzin]

I'm so sorry for your loss!!

Ditto!!
I lost a hen last winter, when I was too busy to close the door. Just find them a nice place to "rest." I have two pet cemetaries, with a cat figure on one, and another marker for where my dog, Xena is buried, with her favorite cat. I have planted forget me nots there.

I "planted" Olivia and Ophelia in the very back corner of the garden near the coop. Nothing has ever really grown very good in that spot. I am considering making a cement head stone for them. I have a very nice Alephbet set for stamping concrete. I may try to grow some violets in the corner.

 

[MuranoFarms]

Awww, I'm so sorry!

I lost a duckling last year when I trusted my feather pulling pekin with it in the pond. I knew I shouldn't have walked away but DH said 'they'll be fine' and when I came back.....it wasn't fine We all make mistakes.