Another life lost...

I lost another chicken today...

I'm a creature of habit. I get into a routine and then it just is. I get up every morning and take the dog out and check on my chickens and garden. Some mornings I will throw a bit of scratch out for the chickens to eat as a treat. This morning was no different. I went out, put the dog on the lead and headed to the chicken feed to grab a scoop of scratch. All of my chickens always climb over each other to get to the door when I come outside, which is just funny, but not abnormal for them. They did it again today. And that's when I noticed.

I was missing one of my Leghorn hens.

I count my chickens and do an overall health check of each one. When I noticed a Peep missing I immediately went into the coop to make sure she was okay. Usually when a hen is missing, it's because they're in a bucket laying an egg. But today I found her just laying on the floor near the roost. The worst part about all of this is I have no idea why she died.

My chickens aren't just livestock to me. Which is weird when I say it out loud. But they aren't. They've become so much more than just little feathered beings that poop out my breakfast every morning. They've become pets. I love going out to see them. Watch them with their little antics. And each one is different.

Kung Pao is my beautiful little sassy friend who hates to be picked up, or bothered when trying to lay an egg. But she will be the first one to fly up and perch on my shoulder or back to get away from everyone else.

Chicken Little really represents her name, she's scared of everything, including her own shadow.

Nugget is sweet but only to me.

Alfredo likes to act tough, but he's more scared of you than you are of him.

General is young but really good to his girls and has really stepped up to be THE rooster. He's also scared of all humans.

The Lavenders are super sweet and remind me of cats. They like to twine around my ankles while in the run.

The Buffs just don't like anyone, but they do their job. They lay eggs and keep everyone happy.

Then there's the Peeps, otherwise known as the Leghorns. I didn't want them in the beginning but they've grown on me. I started with 5 and am now down to just 3 if you count Alfredo the rooster. They're not a friendly breed but they were fulfilling their purpose. They were going to help me make my sex-link chickens. But now I just have a mixture of everything.

I love all of my chickens! And have enjoyed every minute of having them. I just hate to see one die. I know it's all a part of life and eventually it won't be as hard for me, but for now I will mourn another death on the homestead.

Anyone want to buy me some chickens for my Birthday?? lol

Hurry, you only have 2 days left!!