Dolly Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 My dear little Lily was put to sleep this evening after succumbing to peritonitis. I'm so upset at losing her and especially as less than 3 months ago I also lost Grace to the same thing. They were both about 2.5 years old, one a hybrid and the other a pure breed. I honestly feel like giving up keeping hens at the moment, they seem to have such short lives and I never get used to it, even after 7 years. I love having them and they bring me such joy which makes the 'regular' heartbreak so hard. Just feeling so sad and had to get it off my chest, I know you all understand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooksRCute Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 (edited) Dear Dolly So sorry to hear of your loss. I'm new to this forum and have only just started keeping chickens so can't really appreciate quite where your head is currently. However I've had & lost a few pets over the years, & no matter how long you have them in your life, they touch a part of you & leave a hole when they go. I understand how heartbreaking that can be, but we do eventually reach a happier place & for many a desire/need to have another pet. When we experience pain our 1st line of defence is to avoid a repeat like the plague! Grief is such a turmoil of emotions but it is also a healing process & when you come through you'll know the right path for you. Victoria Edited August 27, 2015 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
percy049 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 So sorry to hear of this x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dolly Posted September 6, 2015 Author Share Posted September 6, 2015 Thank you for your kind words, they really help. I'm starting to think about getting some more hens but am having some trouble with a noisy hen, see my post 'noisy hen teaching others', there's always something! I would love to rescue some ex batts, particularly as I often see lorry loads of the poor little things in their crates on my drive to work , but is the problem of illness and peritonitis even more likely with ex batts, given the lives they've lead? I try to do my bit for them anyway by buying everything online via the Give As You Live website, which donates a percentage of your purchase cost to charity (my choice is BHWT of course!) and costs you nothing Well worth a look if you don't already use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted September 6, 2015 Share Posted September 6, 2015 So sorry to hear you lost Lily, can totally understand how you feel as its so hard to lose them but she obviously had a good life with you. I felt the same recently having battled for a month with a poorly girl, even saw a specialist vet, but in the end I had to let her go. Now I feel better about it and think the pleasure I get from them is worth the heartbreak and am now planning for more girls in the spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
