A Death in the Family

For once I'm blogging without pictures. It didn't seem fitting to take any when I came home two nights ago to a dead chick in the brooder. Penguin had been sleeping a lot the last few days and I was a bit worried about her. I fed her some egg yolk (cooked of course) on Monday afternoon, and it seemed to perk her up a little, but when I got home on Tuesday night, she was dead in the brooder...... Dave, his girlfriend Meg, and I buried her by flashlight in the backyard. I was a little nervous that a raccoon might dig up her body, but we dug a relatively deep hole, and honestly, there wasn't much at all for a raccoon to eat. She was really light - just feathers and bones.

I had a weird feeling that Penguin wasn't long for this world. She seemed weaker and more lethargic than the other two, and she was the only one who didn't put up a big fuss when I picked her up - she was too weak.

I was dreading my first chicken death, but it honestly wasn't too bad. It was a bit of a relief in fact. I don't have to worry about her any more, and death is something you just have to deal with when raising chickens (or any animals for that matter). Stanley and I are going to look at some pullets this weekend, so I know there will be more chickens in my life soon.

Three Spot and Puff (that's what I've decided to call the chick who hatched with Three Spot) are doing exceptionally well. They're both full of energy and curiosity, and are eating well, drinking lots of water, and pooping up a storm!
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