Having chickens has certainly taught me many things.
Moving.... on the rainiest day ever!
Last fall we started with 10 baby chicks and last week we went down to one. Something had systematically picked off and brutally killed the chickens until the rooster, Freckles, remained. After a day of coaxing, I lured him into a cage, and the next day he was brought to my dear friend Hannah’s house. His journey is not over, thankfully. He is now the king of a new harem of hens and hopefully, will “cock-a-doodle-do” many more happy days.
Trying to hold on to these chickens taught me an odd lesson. It reminded me of the quote from Princess Leia in the original Star Wars movie, “The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.” Is it possible to hold on to some things too tightly? At some point, is it healthier to just let them go?
Freckles' new home!
Definitely a week of living, losing & learning…… I guess it’s called life.
Susan Mills shares an example of knowing when to hold on and thinking about letting go, at her blog A Walk in My Shoes. Check her out!
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Sorry to hear that. I hope Freckles enjoys his new residence.
I’m so sorry about your hens. I walk out to our chicken coop every morning holding my breath until I open the door and see they are still alive. There are so many predators around everywhere and they all seem to love chickens. I hope all goes well with your new girls and I’m glad you still have Freckles.
Sorry to hear about your chickens! You are right, there is always something to learn. We don’t always see it right away but it contributes to our big picture, the one called, as you said, life.
Blessings to you,
Karen
Oh that’s too bad. When I was a kid, we raised chicks at my private kindergarten and it was such an enriching experience. I think it really shaped who I am and I think all kids should have chance to watch that cycle of life like that. We lost a few chicks to raccoons who managed to tear the chicken wire apart and get in. I was so sad when that happened. – G
That is so sad, realising that Freckles was better off without you.
Are you learning how to fortify the chicken coop with a force field, or whatever it is that is working for your friend Hannah and her chickens?
I am so sorry about your chickens! I know how excited you were about them.
Great life lesson on letting go though.
I’m glad you could save the rooster and he has a new home. We have coyotes and all that pluck off the cats around here.
Diane, that’s just awful. I hope your rooster will have fun struttin’ his stuff there. Yes, we can hold to tight, and it’s a hard lesson.
Diane, sounds like your rooster is going to enjoy himself in the new hen house.
hey there, did you actually see dead carcasses!? cause they could have flown away. iF ya dont clip their wings so they can fly out they will dissappear! My dad was nuts about keeping ours cut short. Also learned it in chicken school I went to. of course we had to hold em while he cut the wings back!
Oh, there was carcasses! Very startling to see. :O(
Hi Diane -
Ooo, so sorry about your chickens. Hope Freckles is happy in his new home.
Aren’t there a lot of hawks in your area? Perhaps they found your coop and decided it was a buffet.
Blessings,
Susan
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this. How awful for you, Diane. Were your kids traumatized?
I hope Freckles likes his new home. You can write a kids book about Freckles!!! Leave out the gore, of course.
hugs.
Jen
I was the most traumatized. I am thinking about a kids’ series :O)
I live in the middle of suburbia in OC, California. I remember about 15 years ago when I moved into a new house. I expected to wake up to barking dogs, but I woke up to roosters crowing in the yard next door.
Not what you typically see here.
But I love that you have chickens.
Sorry about your chickens!! I know how it is to lose animals…and it feels horrible!! It’s awesome that you were able to find him a new home though–and I’m sure the “ladies” will console him!
That’s a shame about the chickens. You’re right that there are life lessons often in these kind of situations.
Hi! I’m visiting over from Tweet Me Tuesday. Sorry to hear about your chickens. I had that wonderful (not!) experience years ago when a neighbors dog decided to dig under our fence. Right now we only have one but she is so much fun to watch!