This past year was tumultuous. There were lots of difficult times and many uncertain moments for us on the farm. Late July was an especially heartbreaking time, as we had to say goodbye to our sweet Chloe, who ultimately lost her battle with Cushing's disease.
Chloe was one of our very first rescues, a surprise special needs puppy, from a high kill shelter, who blossomed into one of the best family dogs anyone could have ever asked for.
Chloe lived her life to the fullest- even as she began to visibly slow down and show signs of age and wear, she kept her sassiness and still loved all the attention she could get. We kept her comfortable for as long as possible, until she told us, in her own way, that it was time for her to move on. Lap of Love came to us and we were able to give Chloe a beautiful send off, complete with a peanut butter picnic under the pines. She was laid to rest on our property, in a spot where she'll have a view of all her favorite things, people, and animal friends.
The day after Chloe crossed the bridge, upon morning feedings, there was no chattering or crowing of our resident mean boy, Lil' Kevin. His enclosure and coop were empty. We looked throughout the chicken yard and beyond. We were deeply saddened to find a hole had been made in his fence, and feathers and signs of struggle were visible both inside and outside of his area. The hole was not very large, but large enough for him to have gotten out or have been removed. We never found any other signs of him. There were also no sounds of attack during the night- and Lil' Kevin was anything but quiet. All of the girls were completely untouched and the other coops and runs were as they had been left the day before.
Although I know it is highly unlikely, I like to consider that idea that maybe, just maybe, that little jerk just decided he was done with all of us, figured out how to escape, and took off in the night.
Lil' Kevin was a rescue rooster who was picked up in the city by animal control. We wanted to offer him a second chance at the good life. He was a big and beautiful bird who was full of personality- and hostility. He was not a nice boy, to say the least, but we loved him dearly and will remember him always.
Two days after Lil' Kevin's disappearance, we lost Jane. She had been alive and resting under one of the coops in the shade, and just a couple hours later she was found in that same spot, and she had already passed. The other hens alerted me to the situation and it was a very sad discovery. Upon inspection, Jane had no visible marks or bites on her body. She appeared to be in good health. We don't always have answers for things like this, sadly. Sometimes animals will let you know when there is something wrong, sometimes they'll hide it or fight it, sometimes, things just happen without explanation.
Jane was a sweet and saucy little rescue hen and we loved her dearly. She loved scratching through fresh straw, mealworms, and a nice dirt bath. She was the sole survivor of her previous flock's predator attack. She came to us apprehensive and a little defensive, but warmed up into a little boss lady that everyone enjoyed being around. We wish we had had more time with her, but take joy knowing that her time with us was filled with love and treats and happiness.
May we never forget those we have lost, and continue to pay it forward in their names by rescuing whenever we can.
And may 2024 be kinder to our little farmily than 2023.
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