[Flowerpower136]

My lovely Alice passed away yesterday.  I found her dead in one of the nest boxes and haven't got the faintest idea why.

She's the first of my hens to die. She'd completely regrown all her feathers (ex batt) and showed no signs of illness at all.  In the box with her was one normal egg and one shell-less, which may or may not have been hers.

She seems to have died peacefully, just fallen asleep.

We've buried her in the garden with care and dignity, alongside the dogs graves.  So Lizzie, perhaps that's answers to the eternal queston, pets or livestock.  No doubts here.  Can't imagine grief like this over livestock.

[dizzylizzie]

OMG! im so sorry hunny. You gave her the best life ever, she had love , sunshine, dustbaths mealworms.........i am so gutted for you , sending huge hugs janet. Take care sweetheart and be proud of yourself for what you gave her, she died a very happy hen xxx

[Aunt Sally]

Oh that's sad Flowerpower136   

But what a lovely way to go !  Not straight from the cage to the factory.  You should be proud that she had the chance to see the sky and feel the wind ruffle her feather

[TeaPots]

Dont be sad, remember her with a smile at her antics, knowing she was happy, and died in the best way any of us could hope for - quietly and snuggley in bed, in her sleep. Bless you both.

[Manlea1]

Sorry to hear that 

[LittleRedHen]

I'm so very sorry for your loss of your dear hen.  You were a brilliant hen mum and she had a lovely life with you.  And I think she died peacefully and contentedly.

[joyfull]

so sorry, huge hugs xxx
just remember you gave her time to be a real free chicken 

[raeburg]

Sorry to hear of your Alice.  She had chance to be a proper chicken.

[nicky d]

sorry ive just seen this post ,  so very very sorry for your loss, but as the others have said you gave her a wonderful life and she got to be a chicken,   big hugs to you      nickyx

[Flowerpower136]

Thanks.

I agree, not a bad way to go, peacefully in your own nest box.

[New shoot]

I hate it when I lose one too, even if they are an OAP and had a long happy life, so I sympathise . 

If she was sitting in the nestbox it must have been a peaceful way to go.  I know that doesn't necessarily make it any easier, but better that than if you had never given her a chance.

[whistler]

It's so awful when the go on isn't it?  You did the very best for her, be comforted that you gave her a beautiful 'autumn' in  her life.
(Hugs) from Whistler.