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Friday 5 December 2014

Bye Bye Bella - Friday 5th December 2014

Hi Friends,

This isn't the post I intended for today, but I have to say that this year has been a very bad year in the chicken coop; in all the years we have been keeping our little clutch of hens, we've never lost more than one in a year, this year we lost 2 and now I am sorry to say we have lost a third.

Bella and Cara were both in fine fettle on Wednesday - I was home and they were able to free range all day, they were fine when I put them back in the coop and also when  I checked on them and shut the coop door after dark. The only slightly odd thing was that Bella had moved to one of the empty nest boxes, but they do move around now and then..she looked fine. When I went to get them up yesterday before work, Bella had passed away. 

So it with sadness I write this post: Bella was our adventurer - fearless, she would get up in the grapevine, jump up on anything where she thought there might be food, never still. Apart from a little health scare over the summer, she has appeared super fit.

Bella was with us for three years and she and Cara were inseparable. Hens definitely pine, because Cara keeps looking for Bella and all she has done today is sit on the perch in their little covered area in the garden, only getting down when I go out to give her a treat. I really want to pick her up and give her a cuddle, but  Cara is a very independent hen who has never liked being picked  up..she doth protest when I do my regular checks.

Of course this means that tomorrow we will be forced to go and find her a new coop mate and then spend the next few weeks settling in a new girl...the spare coop will have to be made ready, it's very much not the time of year to be doing this.

So Bella will now be at Rainbow Bridge, hopefully foraging with her old mates Lacey and Penny, sleep peacefully Bel and thanks for the fun you gave us with your cheeky antics X

Thanks for stopping by,
Love and Hugs
Carole X






14 comments:

  1. Oh Carole I am so sorry that you have lost another chicken it sounds like it was very unexpected. I know about animals pining, one of our daughter's rabbits died and after two failed attempts she has not been able to find a compatible friend for the one left behind. She is trying again in the New Year. I hope you have success finding a new friend for your surviving chicken. Take care. Hugs Jackie

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  2. Carole this is such sad news. May Bella be blessed in chicken heaven and may you find a lovely new mate for Cara xxx
    Hugs Desíre {Doing Life}

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  3. Carole, my heart is breaking for you. We get so attached to our "babies" it is so heartbreaking when we lose them. I am thinking of you and, of course, Cara. Best of luck finding a new, suitable coop mate for her. Hugs, Donna

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  4. So sorry to read this Carole, losing an animal friend is always hard
    Just know she is not in pain and will be "pecking" about with her fiends.
    Sending some (((((hugs))))) to help.

    Patricia x

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  5. Carole, Anna, Beth and I are all sad to hear that Bella has died. Daughter lost 2 last week. It's not a good time for getting a new friend for Cara, hope you have some success. Sending (((((( hugs)))))) Hazel xx

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  6. Carole so sorry to hear you've lost another chicken it's always hard loosing our animals but I am sure she had a very happy life with you....

    Anne

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  7. Morning Carole,
    Sorry to hear that you have lost another of your lovely hens, such a shock when it's not expected.
    Lydia
    X

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  8. So sorry to hear the sad news. I don't know much about chickens or how long they are xpected to live but this obviously came as a complete surprise.
    I am sending you big hugs and hope you manage to find a friend to replace her.
    Hugs, Angela x

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  9. Hi Carole,

    I wish I would have seen this post earlier! I'm so sorry, friend. It has been a rough time for you I hope you will be able to find the perfect fit for your family to somehow replace the gone but not forgotten feathers friends you have lost.

    Sending GREAT BIG!!! (((Hugs)))

    Patti

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  10. Poor Bella, sending BIG hugs and cuddles to you.xxx

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  11. Oh Carole how sad for you all. It's been a rough 2014 for you and your Hens. Sending you a huge hug, that might just make it all ok for a moment. Cx

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  12. Oh Carole, I am so sorry to hear your sad news.
    Big hug for you, Oksana.xx

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  13. I'm so sorry to read this, it is awful that you've lost another one of your girls in such a short space of time. I hope Cara is doing okay, so sad that she's lost her friend. Thinking of you Carole x
    Rebecca.
    x

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  14. I have a knot in my heart I can not say, talk or hear about these stories, specially when i am too so attached to my pets...I am SSOOOO soory :(
    hugs bibiana

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