End of an era

[LadyA]

My last remaining 3 elderly hens are being despatched this weekend. One by one, over the last year, the others have succumbed to illness - well, not actually succumbed to the illness, I sent them on their way rather than prolong their suffering.

Now, 3 remain, and one is starting to look a bit down in the mouth, and only picking at her food. So, I've arranged for all three to go to their just rewards.

At the moment, I'm saying I'm definitely not getting more. Several reasons - the avian flu lockdowns are stressful for hens used to having a large area to roam. Then there's the fact that feed is expensive, a lot goes off before it can be eaten by so few hens, and I give away most of the eggs - I can only use so many - and heaving sacks of feed around is already not as easy as it was years ago. Also, the henhouse is very old, and needs several repairs, as does the secure run. And, I'm very busy with caring for mum, working part time, keeping up with grandchildren and other things.
Mainly, though, at the moment is that increasingly, I just don't want to face the inevitable culling. I've always felt that if you can't cull swiftly and efficiently when necessary, or have someone close to hand who can, then you shouldn't have hens.

I find I'm much more sad about not having hens around than I expected. It really does feel like the end of an era. But, I'll still be on here! Accompanied by the ghosts of chickens past. [emoji3064]

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[MrsBiscuit]

I am sorry to hear that Lady A, but never think it has to be the end. I have been without my chicken for nearly 8 years now, and although I still miss them from time to time, and the fact I still keep in touch here shows that I am still interested, time has lessened the itch to have more. Primarily though, I know I can have more birds if I want, and maybe the time will come, I haven't ruled it out. I also think there is more to life than chickens, and sometimes you have to let life have centre stage!

 

[Hen-Gen]

I know what you mean. My dog is 11 and though in good health will, on average, die in two or three years. I’ve always said I’ll not replace her because I could well predecease the next one. But having said that I am considering an indoor tortoise.

 

[LadyA]

I've got two cats that have to be indoor only, and although they're only 4, I've already said that they won't be replaced when they go. They are great company, but they are a tie - I can't put them in a cattery, because, although vaccinated, the female has chronic cat flu, and would be shedding the virus.
I'm thinking of investing in a "catio" so they can safely go outside. Well, the female, anyway, who would love to go out. The male wouldn't go out if I shot him from a cannon.

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[bigyetiman]

Sorry to hear that LadyA, you will have to be an " aunty" to all the hens on the forum.
Avian flu does bring a lot of problems for keepers, with keeping them locked up. At least you have your cats to keep you on your toes.

 

[LadyA]

And they're gone. I'm ridiculously upset, and very nearly ran out to stop my son in law. Started thinking how frightened the hens must have been, with a stranger in their run, and picking them up. [emoji24] My poor son in law hates killing them almost as much as I do.
But there we are. All done. Poor hennies.

Thing is though, if they would have lived out long and healthy retirements, I'd have been happy for them to stay. But long experience has taught me that a commercial hybrid living a long healthy life is very much the exception, rather than the rule. At 3 these girls had lived longer than most of their type, and had a fantastic life roaming around, free to forage, dustbathe or lie in the sun

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[Marigold]

I know that sinking feeling, LadyA. But just remember, they had a lovely three years with you, which as you say is a long life for a hybrid, especially compared with the time they’d have been allowed as commercial hens. Lucky girls.

 

[MrsBiscuit]

Indeed, you gave them a fantastic life compared to what they would have faced. Hold onto the good times, you have nothing to reproach yourself for, I sense you will be giving your time to living human beings who need you, and that is the right way to go. If circumstances change and you feel differently in the future then you can give a wonderful life to some other lucky hens.

 

[Shadrach]

Have a hug from me LadyA, I'm sure you've done the right thing. They are not dead until the last memory of them dies.

 

[MrsBiscuit]

Wise words Shadrach, I have not heard that before.

 

[LadyA]

Wise words indeed.
Maybe it's not the loss of this particular batch of hens that's bothering me so much as the fact that there won't be a new batch coming in once the house and run were cleaned and sterilised? I've been practising an "all out/all in" policy for a while now - not integrating new pullets in with a flock of old hens. My hens weren't pets. They lived much longer and better lives than they would commercially, but I have found that the flock remained healthier for longer if I didn't mix new hens with old.

This batch just gone probably got less attention/interaction than any I've ever had - I just didn't have time. But I find myself glancing out towards the pen to check on them, only to find no little ginger bums bobbing around as they foraged. And I haven't gone out to the house or run at all, much less started cleaning it. I need to - to clean out the feeder, etc. It all just looks so forlorn. However- the weather has been very damp, and I must admit, I'm not missing sliding in the mud to shut them in the run! So, really, all is good. And I'm not missing watching one after the other, hoping that the signs of going downhill are just my imagination, but knowing I should cull before they get too bad.

So, yeah. Forward, ho! [emoji846]

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[bigyetiman]

That's the spirit, looking forward, when you think of winter, mud, frozen drinkers etc it does help dull the sense of loss

 

[Marigold]

Yes, totally agree - when it gets cold and wet and dark, I wish chickens would hibernate - or at least migrate - not having them would make very little difference to the egg count at present!

 

[bigyetiman]

Eggs are like gold dust at this time of the year. You always have the hens that go and sit in the laying box then come out smugly having not laid going " ha ha fooled you yet again"

 

[Icemaiden]

My "new" ex-batts seem all to have come back into lay now that they've grown their new winter coats. It's good to have a reasonable supply of eggs now that I have 7 bottoms to clean up after!