Friday 26 March 2010

Low.

I'm feeling really quite low today. After spending my time this week nursing a poorly hen, I finally decided last night that Leia was not getting any better :( She seemed to be suffering from some kind of paralysis and keeping her warm in the kitchen and hand feeding her hourly, just seemed to be prolonging the problem. I'd noticed that she wasn't eating much or coming out of the hen house over the weekend, but on Tuesday I had to bring her in as the other girls had badly beaten and pecked her. I wrapped her up and put her in the cat basket and waited for the inevitable. By Wednesday she seemed to be rallying, so I began the hourly feeding and watering. Yesterday though saw no improvement and her returning strength just emphasised how incapable she was of moving properly. By teatime she was refusing food.

I know that it sounds crazy, but I couldn't face the thought of anyone dispatching her other than a vet. I can't say that I begrudge the money, because I gave Leia a quiet and dignified end. She has been a lovely pet to our family and deserved no less than I'd give to our other animals.

To cheer me up, hubby took me to the garden center and we bought some grow bags. I'm going to get the vegetable area sorted out over the weekend and plan to make a new home for our remaining chickens at the field. I had wanted to get more chickens, but yesterday made me back up a bit. I can be such a sentimental old fool sometimes!

Later, I promise to post up the recipe for the treacle pud :)

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Im sorry to hear about little hen. She completed the circle of life though and ended it feeling love from you. The perfect end. x

Sarah Sullivan said...

Awww hon..I am so sorry! You are not a sentimental old fool.. you are a dear sweet loving one! I have such a hard time losing my critters too..even the chuks! Sending gentle hugs to you hon!
Love, Sarah

Yarrow said...

Thank you for such sweet and kind words. I am very lucky indeed to know such thoughtful people.x

Bovey Belle said...

So sorry to hear about Leia. At least she had a lovely life with you and you gave her a peaceful ending too . . . (((HUGS)))

Yarrow said...

Thank you dear friend. x

ICQB said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your hen. If I die and come back as a hen, I want to be one of yours.

Yarrow said...

That's such a sweet thing to say, ICQB.

Julia Guthrie said...

Oh I'm sorry to hear about Leia!! I know even Chickens have little personalities of their own, it must be hard when it's their time to leave.

Treacle pud recipe?? Mmmmm....

*big hugs* xxxxxxx

Willow said...

So sorry to hear about your lovely hen .... when the time has come, I've had several of my hens put to sleep by the vet ... a dignified, peaceful end means everything.

Love to you xxx

Willow

Yarrow said...

That is so true Willow.x