Lindsay Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I am new to the forum, but have had an eglu and 2 chickens for nearly 2 yrs now. Sadly, my favourite hen Poppy died at the weekend (very suddenly, no warning, other than she'd stopped laying for a while and was a bit wheezy). She had been such a tough little bird and tolerated all kinds of weather, was definitely 'top' chicken and a real character. Poor Marigold is now left on her own, so I face the choice of re-homing her, or going out and getting a new little friend. Reading through some of your topics, I realise that some of my doubts about starting all over again are very common, i.e. what happens when we go on holiday? what happens if the fox comes? what about the mess in the garden? etc etc etc!! Part of me thinks it's all too much and i'll be the one doing all the cleaning out etc, and then I look at my sad, empty garden and think of all those wonderful, fresh eggs, and I wonder?!? Looking at some of the lovely runs and enclosures people have built has inspired me to have another go and to continue being a 'happy hen keeper'! But what about the heartache?! Thoughts please!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Poor you! and what a quandry you are in. I would always go for getting more birds. After our beloved Margot died (she was one of the four originals) I swore I wouldnt get any more because of the worry and heartache. So 5 months later we got four more and 8 months after that we got four ex batteries - two of whom sadly passed away last year - and we are going to get more - we are kind of addicted I can only say think about it carefully - as you say hens do bring such joy to us and its a small price to pay to clean up the poop and not have a perfect lawn (not that we ever had one!) to see them pootling about and enjoy their lovely fresh eggs. I know that you will do what is right for you - and only you can decide that. In the meantime positive thoughts are coming your way xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn in Bristol Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Poor Poppy and poor you. We lost two chickens to a fox a month ago, and the children (and me) were so distraught that we went straight out the same day and bought two more to keep the remaining hen company. There was something incredibly therepeutic about watching two teenage lads rush around a field trying to catch the one particular bird the children had set their hearts on. The new hens are very different in character to our originals, which is nice in a way. I'm convinced we did the right thing. There are days (particularly cold wet muddy ones) when I wonder why we have sacrificed a large part of our small garden to the 'world of the chicken', but I wouldn't be without them. Good luck with your decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Oh Lindsey im so sorry to hear about Poppy you must feel really down in the dumps right now. Im quite new to keeping chickens but my ex battery girls bring me so much joy that i could not imagine life without them so please dont give up on being a happy hen keeper As for holidays will im sure you could find someone on here who will chicken sit for you if you want to go away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 Thanks everyone! Nice to know i'm not the only one who gets soppy over hens! It's been really helpful to have a few comments from fellow hen keepers .... just reinforces how much we all enjoy them! I'm going to have big discussions with the rest of the family tonight, and come up with a plan (think i've secretly already made a decision, especially since i've just been out to cuddle Marigold, with a handful of grapes as a special treat, and had a little chat about a possible new 'friend'!!!) Yep, questioning my own sanity at this point ..... think I need to get out more?!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Hi Lindsay, hope you do decide to carry on having chickens in the family I think you are perfectly sane (it's the other people that are mad ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Hi Lindsay! Oh, go on, get a couple more..... Introducing two is a great idea, as when you lose one in the future, which inevitably, you will, you won't be left with just one lonely chicken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 ..... think I need to get out more?!! No stay in with some chickens Sorry to heat you lost Poppy, but I'm sure Marigold would love a couple of new friends karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Go on get a couple more...Spring is on its way and you'll want to be out in the garden....and a garden without chicken(s) is lifeless. Marigold will need someone to play with too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Go for it 2 more BBx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Very sorry to hear about Poppy. I would definitely get 2 more to keep marigold company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine C Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Sorry to hear about Poppy and just to reiterate what others are saying - not only go for another chook but go for two more! I think the pleasure they will give you while they are doing their chickeny things like scratching up the grass and the rest of the garden, making you go out and see to them in wet muddy weather (ok maybe not always a pleasure ) not to mention the fab and tasty eggs etc far outweigh the sad times when they are unwell or pass away. They are so good to have around and excellent stress busters! Sounds though like Marigold has already told you this in your chat Personally I think you should listen to her - now who needs to get out more Good luck with what you decide. E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 I definitely agree about animals being stress busters. All our animals make us laugh - cry with laughter sometimes , chuckle at their silly noises and antics, feel all warm and fuzzy when they are tucked up for the night in their eglu, watching them enjoy tasty treats, that excitement when they lay an egg, and the comfort when they sit on your lap and you can feel their lovely fluffyness. Ahhh, what would I do without my little darlin's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 (edited) It's a tough decision I'm sure, poor Poppy and lonely Marigold. I'd definitely recommend getting another 2 hens........... but I'm ever so slightly hen mad (OK, I don't know when to stop ). Good luck wih it Edited February 23, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Nor me Kate I htink that anyone asking on here whether or not to get another chook is going to get the same answer - I've always added mine in twos, except for the chick, who was part of the flock straight after she hatched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Posted February 23, 2007 Author Share Posted February 23, 2007 Thanks for all your comments .... this has been great, and has really cheered me up after my sad weekend losing Poppy. The family have all agreed that we need a friend for Marigold asap, so we will contact our local breeder tomorrow. We have considered having 2 more, and I think it's a good idea (esp to avoid one being left on it's own again, should the worst happen!), but as I have a Mark 1 Eglu, I'm not sure it's big enough for three?? Anyway, something to consider for the future perhaps! There is even serious talk of building a luxury new run! Yes, I agree that hens (and my three cats) are great stress-busters .... especially on those days when you've had enough of humans!! I have found that my 'girls' have been very wise and have talked alot of sense during many a crisis!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Go on get a couple more...Spring is on its way and you'll want to be out in the garden....and a garden without chicken(s) is lifeless. Marigold will need someone to play with too! She will definitely need a new friend - but on refelction looking at my quagmire a garden with chickens is lifeless - oops!! No grass left here!! Wouldn't not have the chookie girls for the world though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 Hello Lindsey, Really sorry to hear about Poppy, it's really hard losing a much loved pet We lost Georgia 4 weeks ago & are looking to get the remaining 2 some friends after our hols at Easter I would definately go along with what the others have said about getting 2 rather than 1. They all seem to sleep stacked on top of each other so I'm sure that 3 would be fine in a mk1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 They all seem to sleep stacked on top of each other so I'm sure that 3 would be fine in a mk1 We have 5 hens now and the whole lot of them cram into our mark 1 eglu every night. No worries at all about sleeping space in the mark 1, we've had 7 squashed in there and they seem very happy........... certainly we have 2 eglus and they can choose where to sleep, the stupid lot all choose to sleep together even if that makes for cramped conditions My only reservation would be about run space, but I don't think that the run in a mark 2 is any bigger than a mark 1 , there doesn't look to be any difference between my eglus run size, but I'm not entirely sure. Go for 2 newbies Oh, and don't forget to tell us what you get............. with photos preferably Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Heck - get 3 more - you know you want to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 Bad girl! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn in Bristol Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 I'm so glad you've made the decision to get some friends for Marigold. Isn't everyone on this forum nice? It must be owning chickens that does it. It should be made compulsory. I want some more now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Posted February 24, 2007 Author Share Posted February 24, 2007 I have news!!!!! After a busy morning cleaning and scrubbing eglu etc, my daughter and I went to collect two (yes .... that's TWO!) new friends for Marigold! We are now the proud new owners of Honey (little brown hen) and Treacle (little black hen with orangey neck feathers ... looks v similar to my lovely Poppy!). We got them home around 4'ish, so didn't have to wait long for bed time. They are quite timid, but doing fine and Marigold seems to have taken on a new bossy personality all of a sudden! (This was after a short exhibition of posing, like a supermodel, and struttung her stuff around the lawn!). We took all the advice from the forum re introducing hens when they're sleepy etc and, with a bit of military-style planning from Hubby, all went according to plan!! Thanks for all the great advice and cheery support .... you're right, chicken lovers are great people!! Will try and post photos ... when I work out how to do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! :dance: Love the names too!!! Yes yes lots of photos needed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted February 24, 2007 Share Posted February 24, 2007 That's great news Lindsay! Fingers crossed for a firm friendship to develop between your girls soon! Pictures!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
