I'm getting used to losing animals at the farm. It's part of life, and bound to happen when you have so many of them. But I knew this hen would break my heart one day...
...and she has. While we were in Jamaica last week, Charlotte quietly left this world for the big chicken coop in the sky!
She was born on July 8, 2009 and had a wonderful life. We got her on the day she hatched, along with 12 other Sex-Links hens that predeceased her.
Charlotte was quite the social hen. She loved people, loved to be held and stroked, and was fearless!
She had her photo taken with Santa many times (a Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry OSPCA fundraiser)...
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...not to mention the Easter bunny!
She always sought me out when I came down to the barn. She really enjoyed attention!
She was a lap chicken too.
Last summer, we have a 5th birthday party for Charlotte...
My friend Ronna even made her a special cake!
Last summer, she also became a mama!
Sex-Links hens are bred for egg production and are not supposed to get broody. And for five years, Charlotte didn't! But last summer, something happened, and she took over four eggs from another hen.
She was a proud and excellent mother (seen her sharing some yogurt with her four chicks, all from eggs that did not come from Charlotte!) She was fiercely protective of them and very loving, and she brought them up to be a fine quartet of chickens.
She loved to ride around on my shoulder while I did farm chores.
She had been doing great lately. In January, I took a selfie with her...
Just before we went away, Charlotte showed her feistiness in a hilarious way. When a rooster grabbed her and tried to mate with her, she turned around, knocked him off, grabbed him by the neck, then jumped on HIM for a hump!!!
Motherhood moved her WAY up the pecking order in the coop.
She was an extraordinary hen, full of character. We'll miss her so much!
Thanks for all the eggs and companionship, you beautiful girl. You will be missed! You were always our extra-special hen.
What a wonderful life Charlotte had with you! It just goes to show that every creature is capable of Great Love. Sending hugs and gentle thoughts your way, Trish
ReplyDeleteThank you Trish. We shed more than a few tears over her last night. She made us smile all the time!
DeleteMy condolences. We'll all miss Charlotte and her sweet temperament.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that she touched so many lives!!
DeleteIt's such a personal loss for you. I understand the tears, for sure. Charlotte was what she was because you gave her the attention and love that she wanted. I know you will miss her, that's the hard part. Now you & Gordon have a lot of fun and unique memories of her to share. Rest in peace, dear little Charlotte. Hugs
ReplyDeleteI need to write about her. She was a very special hen! Thanks Deb. xoxo
DeleteCharlotte had an incredibly full and loving life as part of your family. Her bucket list was overflowing and she accomplished many things in her short life with the family she most loved. Its so wonderful Charlotte had a super sweet, outgoing personality, loved being with people and even raised 4 newly adopted chicks. I will certainly miss Mama Charlotte and her photo ops on the blog. I hope you find peace with the lovely experiences you shared with Charlotte.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful comment!! Thank you so much. Have a hug!
DeleteI loved seeing your photos of Charlotte and hearing your special memories of her. Charlotte was quite a character and she was blessed to receive your time and love. I'm sending you both gentle thoughts at this time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your very kind words, Maggie!
DeleteAh, bless her feisty chicken heart!
ReplyDeleteJane x
She was amazing!!
DeleteYou get to know your critters very well. You receive a lot from your critters and they receive lots from you.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Thank you!
DeleteOuch. I have loved getting to know the sweet and extraordinary Charlotte through your blog and photos. The photos of her on your shoulder always made me smile. I'm so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you ! I need to train up Lemay to take her place as chicken ambassador. She'll sit on my shoulder too.
DeleteI'm sorry for your loss. Your story of Charlatte warmed my heart. She and you were blessed to have each other.
ReplyDeleteOh no, not Charlotte! I feel terrible for you. I love all my chickens but it's rare to have one that bonds so much with it's humans. It's a unique and wonderful trait in birds like her. I had that with Gertie and still miss that loveable girl. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I said when I went to the coop that day and couldn't find her. "Oh no, not Charlotte!" I knew she wouldn't live forever but I sure wish she had been with us a little longer. I know you totally understand how a chicken can steal your heart, Maureen. Thank you...
DeleteSo sorry for you loss. Sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated! Thank you!
DeleteR.I.P. Charlotte. Hugs and gentle thoughts from your friends.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! xoxo I owe you an email. It's coming!
DeleteSo happy we got to celebrate her birthday! Fond memories of a dear hen.
ReplyDeleteThat cake you made was JUST PERFECT! I'm so glad we did that. xoxox
DeleteWhat an awesome hen and what a great life she had. We're sad to hear she's gone.
ReplyDeleteShe'll leave a hole in your hearts :(
She would have made a great therapy chicken. I tried to find a program like that for her around here, but had no luck.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear of your loss, it is obvious Caroline was very special to you and a very special chicken.
ReplyDeleteShe was unflappable, if you'll pardon the pun. I really miss her!
DeleteSorry for your loss . I had a banty hen named Charolett on our farm when I was kid I named her from the Charlotte's web book one of my favorite child hood stories I still have the original book to !. It is hard loosing animals they really become members of our family ! R I P Miss Charolett .
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I LOVED Charlotte's Web!!
DeleteOh, that's sad. Sorry Natalie x
ReplyDeleteShe had so much character. I wonder if I'll ever have another chicken like her?
DeleteWe're so sorry to hear abour Charlotte. She was beautiful! Purrs....
ReplyDeleteThank you!! xox
DeleteYou gave Charlotte a wonderful life!
ReplyDeleteShe gave us lots of things to smile about in return. :)
DeleteAh, Natalie, what a poignant & beautiful tribute to your Charlotte. "All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all."
ReplyDeleteLovely words! Thank you!
Deletebless her little heart...thankfully she was loved....
ReplyDeleteShe's missed by many. :) A good little hen.
Delete♥Charlotte♥ God speed sweet pretty hen!
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss Natalie and Gordon!
She was one of a kind! Thank you!!
DeleteIt's especially hard to loose a beloved animal friend when you're away. Our love and thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kari!!
DeleteI'm so sorry, Natalie and Gordon. Charlotte truly was special. Perhaps she waited for you to be away before she flew off to that Great Chicken Coop in the sky, to make her passing easier for you. People do that sometimes. Why not beloved chickens? Sending hugs...
ReplyDeleteYou know, I had the same thought. She waited until I was gone to check out. Sigh... thank you! xox
DeleteWe are so terribly sorry....she was quite beautiful too
ReplyDeleteThank you Caren! xox
DeleteI love chickens and Charlotte was one in a million! Thank you for being her friend and telling the world about the amazing capacity she had for loving and being loved!
ReplyDeleteShe was pretty special. Thanks so much.
DeleteWhat a touching tribute. You gave her a wonderful life, and she gave it right back to you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann! I was hoping she'd hang around for at least another five years. Sigh.
DeleteWhat a lovely story, she sure seemed like a great character. We have no chickens here only our two dogs. Our beagle will be eighteen this summer and I know it will break my heart when he leaves us. I'm sorry for your loss as I know just how close we can become to our animals.
ReplyDelete