Friday, December 04, 2009

Saying Goodbye To "Hope"...

I posted to my "Backyard Chicken"blog this morning about my concern for my 10 day old Mille Fleur Cochin chick, "Hope".  She seemed to stop thriving yesterday and went rapidly downhill today.  I was pleading for help.  Unfortuantely, there was nothing to be done.    My precious Hope, the first MFC chick born in the Bluff Country, was gone when I went down to clean her pen after posting to my blog.  I had taken photos of her just minutes before ~ you can see them on the Chicken blog.  In less than an hour she was gone.  When I found Hope's still warm body it occurred to me that Star may just have 'helped'  Hope move on.    If she did, I'm sure it was done out of love.  Hope  looked peaceful.

I am so grateful for the short time that I had Hope in my life .  During her brief time on this Earth she gave me strength and hope.  I am very sad that I wasn't able to help her as she had helped me.  She will be missed.

These photos were taken while I was cleaning out Hope's pen and making it fresh for Star and the three newest chicks.  I put the three chicks in a large whicker basket, under a heat lamp while I cleaned out the pen.  I let Star loose so she could keep an eye on 'her little ones'.   The effects of the light, in the dimly lit basement, created some photos that I think are incredible.  I share them with you as my way of saying good bye to my sweet little Hope...

*click on any photo to enlarge*







Now Candy is watching over Hope.
Star is showing me that we must go on.
We have three new chicks that need our care and our love.

God's speed, little one...

"Hope"

11/24 - 12/4/09

11 comments:

  1. Marilyn11:24 PM

    I am so sorry to hear about Hope. Chicks are such delicate creatures and being so tiny can go down so quickly.
    I was suprized when you wrote that Star had adopted the three new chicks. I have not had many hens that would do that. Perhaps in the more knowing/understanding way of critters she knew she would be losing her first one.
    I suppose you won't, but try not to second guess yourself about Hope. You know from the sheep that a sometimes (way to often at times) things are out of our control.
    Take care of yourself.

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  2. I am so, so sorry, Nancy.

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  3. Anonymous6:09 AM

    Nancy,
    Every time I read your blog, I learn something new. I didn't know chickens were so fragile. So sorry to read that Hope died. The photos are wonderful. You have an artist's eye.
    Diane L./Bloominton,IN.

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  4. Anonymous7:57 AM

    We are shedding tears for Hope too Mom...
    Love you
    Pam (and the boys)

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  5. Sorry to hear about Hope. I didn't want to say anything and cause a jinx, but I have never had a single chick survive long out of a clutch. I don't know what it is, it's almost as if they need clutch mates to remind them to eat and drink or something. Sometimes I have a single chick hatch for some reason or another, and I've tried leaving it with the hen or removing it, tried everything but for some reason they just tend not to thrive. So please don't blame yourself, chicks are so, so delicate and quirky.
    The rare breeds are even more challenging due to fatal genes and lack of hybred vigor. I had lots and lots of dead chicks, and dead breeding stock wasn't terribly uncommon back when I ran my hatchery.

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  6. Anonymous9:26 AM

    I am sorry for your pain, Nancy. I really admire your resiliance. Your photos are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!Your animals are so lucky to have such a loving and doting "Mom." Take care lady!!

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  7. Resiliance? WHAT Resiliance??? My ROLL MODEL in life is a CHICKEN!

    I guess it could be worse...

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  8. I'm sorry to hear about your troubles and I hope things get better for you soon! Great chick picture though.

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  9. Oh goodness, Mom I'm so sorry, Again. My only optimistic thought is that you've gone so far above your "bad-things" quota that you should have nothing but good things happen to you for the next year at least! Maybe she just knew she had served her purpose here: to get you through that first awful day, and now she wanted to get up and keep Candy company right away. I'm sure they're both happy. All my love,

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  10. PS: The pictures are absolutely breathtaking

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  11. Anonymous7:30 PM

    hugs ... and continue to only focus only on what is good in your life.

    Bill

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