Sadly I lost one of my Ex-batts this morning. Bubbles who was my favourite, always friendly and nice to the other girls.
She has been poorly for a while. Just old age really, she wasn't doing very much yesterday, although she was eating a bit and drinking. This morning all the other girls came out ok but when I lifted the coop door she was snuggled up in the nesting box. She looked up at me and raised her wing a bit but it was obvious she was soon for the great chicken coop in the sky. I went in to fetch the water and feed and was chatting to Andy about what the best thing to do was and when I went back to her she had passed away. It was for the best really as I didn't really want the job of the 'kind deed' I know Andy wouldn't do it so I was quite relieved.
I got my first 4 ex-batts in February and then another 2 in the late summer. They have been a real joy to me and have been so easy to look after, they have simple needs and give so much back. Bubbles is the first one to go and although I feel happy that she lived such a happy 10 months of free ranging and good grub etc it still feels a bit strange and sad.
RIP Bubbles....