Yesterday morning when I went out to do chores, I noticed Miss “My Pad is a Purple Bucket” was still in the chicken pen. Well, there’s reason for the saying “up with the chickens.” They’re usually out foraging at the crack of dawn, and there she was, still in the pen.
Her little chick was huddled down underneath her.
When I got up close, the little chick went running around, but the mother hen never moved. She was dead.
The little peep looked so pitiful trying to keep close to the mother. It would go out every once in a while and eat some cracked corn I threw on the ground, but would go running back to scoot under the mother hen’s body every time another chicken came close.
I’m guessing the hen just died of old age. We’ve been losing one of the girls from our foundation flock every now and then. As you can see from her white feathers, she was getting old. In her prime, her feathers were all that golden color.
The Farmer disposed of the mama hen last night, and I have the chick in a cage on the back porch. I feel sorry for the little mite. It keeps peeping for a mama that isn’t going to come back.
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If you liked that post, then try these...
My Dream Died Tonight on May 5th, 2009
It's Courting Season in this part of the World! on February 9th, 2009
Chicken Littles... on July 11th, 2007
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Ohhhh..Im gonna miss Miss purple bucket. She was a good chicken..mama.
Awww, the poor little baby lost his mommy. How sad! I would want to put him in my pocket and carry him around with me. How old was the mama hen? On average how long did your foundation flock live? I’m thinking positive thoughts for the little orphan and I hope he has a long healthy life.
Oh, poor baby! I can’t remember, do you have any other hens with chicks right now? Maybe you could sneak him under one of those hens??
Yes, she was a good mana.
I think she was about 4 1/2 years old. I’m pretty sure I got the first chicks in 2004.
I’ve tried sneaking chicks with other hens. It might work right after they’re hatched, but once they’re up running around, Mama hen seems to know which ones are hers, and pecks at the newcomer. Good idea though!
Aww, poor little biddie. I feel bad for it. Sorry you lost a hen, at least it was to old age, though.
The little chick seems to be doing fine in it’s cage, though I’m sure it’s rather lonesome!
Awe! Poor little guy. It would be nice if another hen would take it under her wing. (literally lol) I hope he survives.
So far so good! There’s a teddy bear in there for warmth, and he (she?) seems to be doing okay.