We lost our hen today

[cheepcheepnash]

I just wanted to share a bit about our sweet hen Jasmine. She was a lavender orpington who was 4 years old. We called her our fluffy cloud. She was the biggest of our hens and the sweetest too. She had the prettiest coo and was so gentle to everyone.

I noticed that she had a respiratory infection back in April, which I treated with antibiotics. In September, she went through a molt and about four weeks ago I noticed that she seemed to be sneezing and would honk after running. I tried treating her with two different kinds of antibiotics but she didn't improve. I noticed her struggling to breath even more after running, and so this week I started a deworming treatment in case it was gapeworm.

We went for a walk this afternoon, and when we came back her breathing sounded awful and she was laying down. Shortly after she flailed around a bit and passed away. I feel so bad that I couldn't help her, and it was so heartbreaking to see her struggling to breath and flailing around. I hope we were good owners to her and that she didn't suffer too much. We are going to take her in for a necropsy on Monday.

I think she had a nice day today. She roamed around and ate some of her favorite greens. I also made her a treat of her food mixed with eggs. It was warm and she got to relax in the sunshine. I hope she knows that we loved her and I hope she had a good life here with us.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I'm sorry. It sounds like she had a good life with you and knew she was loved and cared for.

 

[Debbie292d]

Awe, so sorry about Jasmine. She of course knew you loved her and because of you, she had a happy life.

 

[My Three Chicks]

I’m so sorry about your sweet Jasmine girl. She sounded lovely and loved. Your story about her was so touching. Sending you strength and a hug.

 

[Tookie]

So sorry for your loss. She did know you loved her, and she did have a good life under your care.

 

[cheepcheepnash]

So sorry for your loss. She did know you loved her, and she did have a good life under your care.

Thank you so much! All these kind words are so comforting. I feel so guilty and worry maybe I could have done something different to help her, but I'm trying not to let my mind go down that path too much.

 

[Squawkers]

I’m so sorry. She sounds like she was such a sweet girl! I’m sure you were a wonderful owner. I lost my very favorite hen to gapeworms not long ago. She was my baby. I did the best I could, but you can’t save them all. It will be good to see the necropsy results.

 

[Tookie]

Thank you so much! All these kind words are so comforting. I feel so guilty and worry maybe I could have done something different to help her, but I'm trying not to let my mind go down that path too much.

You took excellent care of her, you did the best you could. You learned from it and have more chicken keeping experience now for the future.

 

[Callender Girl]

Jasmine sounds incredible, and I know she will be greatly missed. You did your best to care for and love her. Sometimes, no matter what we do, it isn't enough to save them, even with the best veterinary care.

I love that Jasmine had a good last day. I recently lost a 5-year-old hen and made sure that Althea had her fill of her favorite treat -- green grapes -- on her last day.

I think everyone who has ever loved a chicken knows that they have emotions. Who hasn't seen a chicken expressing joy, excitement, fear? So, I think they can also feel when they are loved. And, Jasmine was.

I am sorry that your time with her was cut short. RIP, Jasmine, your little fluffy cloud.

 

[PimsGarden]

Thank you so much! All these kind words are so comforting. I feel so guilty and worry maybe I could have done something different to help her, but I'm trying not to let my mind go down that path too much.

That feeling is so normal and valid, but you did your best and gave that chicken an above avg life so don't forget that this is a normal feeling everyone gets no matter how hard they tried. I'd even get it when I worked at an animal hospital and I'd assist on euthanasia for someone's animal that I had no control over the animals life, weird to feel that when I had no relationship with the animal but it happens. You just naturally want to provide for them and that's a beautiful thing/reaction. Means you have a lot of good in your heart, now let it heal.