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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Fern, the little black hen


We said a very sad goodbye to our little black hen yesterday. Unable to walk in the morning and not eating or drinking, the wee one and I took her to the vet...took all of five minutes to learn than euthanasia was the kindest path.

The vet nurse was very kind; after Fern's little heart stopped beating she took her limp body and wrapped her gently in a shroud of calico, tied it with a plain satin ribbon and placed a rose stem through the loop. The wee girl was quite delighted with the wrapped 'gift' and held her all the way home chatting about how she was 'very sick' had a 'sore leg', 'she won't feel better soon' and 'she died'. I sobbed a bit, felt a bit crazy and couldn't believe I just handed over $130 to an specialist avian vet.

I picked up my big girl from school and broke the sad news, she was quite distraught. Death is never easy.

Fern had Mareks disease I am steeling myself and hoping that Lavender does not sucumb as well. I spoke at length with the vet about getting other chickens - perhaps that is where the consultation costs were? I've spent the morning on the phone with a breeder discussing vaccinations and their merits. Friday the girls and I will drive down the coast and pick out some new little girls to bring home... the journey continues.

6 comments:

m. bloom said...

oh, no! I'm so sorry...
xo

Donna said...

Such a hard lesson for young ones. Glad you are getting some new little girls.

Stacey said...

I'm so sorry, hugs for you x

W-S Wanderings said...

I'm sorry for your loss, and I KNOW how much of a loss it can be. Both Eldest and I shed tears when our dog killed our favourite hen last fall.

Hugs...

MelB said...

I am sorry to hear about Fern, but thank you for posting today, My chook has been suffering all the symptoms of Mareks, and I have just isolated her and called my homeopath who prescribed hypericum and rhus tox - see how that goes... she said if it helps my sick chook, to also give to the others as a preventative.
I have also found http://backyardchickens.yuku.com a good source for questions and answers.
M x

S said...

Thank you all, still makes me quite sad, she was such a pretty girl - the sun make her feathers shimmer green and purple... The vet sent a sympathy card today, so unexpected... Had me crying at the letterbox, what were they thinking being so kind?
Thank you Mel B, I will have a bit of a poke around on that site. Would be interested to know how your girl fares.
S.