Tuesday, November 8, 2011

SWEET IRIS~

Dear Iris,
You are gone, truly gone. I had hoped you might be off on a little vacation, maybe discovered true love in a neighboring hen yard, or had decided to roost in a nearby tree. But alas it was not to be. It took me four days of searching, but finely I stumbled upon the crime scene. Your golden feathers lay scattered about, proof you put up a valiant fight, the enemy... a fox. The hen yard is not the same without you. I fear dear Charlotte will not get over your absence, she remains in the corner of the hen yard, patiently waiting your return. All hope is gone, it is not meant to be. Such is the life of a chicken keeper, a sad chicken keeper. Goodbye my sweet girl.

30 comments:

JC said...

I'm so sorry !!!

Is there any thing you can do to keep them just in your yard ?

Anonymous said...

:-( Sorry to hear this, Julie...

Jacque. said...

oh Julie, I'm sorry. Poor Sweet Iris.

Terry Golson said...

The predators are especially hungry this time of year. So sorry.

Mary@BarnBugStudio said...

So so sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet girl...

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Poor Iris. Maybe its a good thing I never got my hens. I don't know if I could stand the heart ache.

Farm Girl said...

Oh poor Iris, Wow you have had a year with your chickens haven't you. I am so glad that you do have closure.
This is the hardest part about chickens. The foxes that get hungry when it gets cold and want a little fast food. It breaks my heart.
I got up last night because something was down at my chicken house. I thought it might have been a fox too. Just checking out the lay of the land.
I have lost so many chickens this year.
I think I have lost 7 I hope you
feel better but Iris was such a nice hen. I know you will miss her.

Sassafras and Winterberry said...

I'm so sorry. I asked one of my students today, whether I should get chickens in the spring...he's 8, but he was fairly honest about the work involved...You have added another piece...yet, your chickens have brought you such joy as well. Poor little Iris. Maybe being a sad chicken keeper is better than not being a chicken keeper at all.
Hugs to you!

Pix at Under the Oaks said...

Awwww Julie. Tears here in MissouREE for you, Iris and Charlotte. I am so sorry.

A Primitive Homestead said...

I believe Charlotte is waiting & missing Iris. I have six chickens & they pair off when roaming about the homestead. They always pair off with the same chicken each day. Sorry to hear your feathered friend is gone. Blessings!
Lara

Denise said...

Sorry to hear of the loss of Iris.....

Debi said...

I too am saddened. I have always loved your chicken stories, especially their lovely names. Rest in spirit sweet Iris.

A New England Life said...

How heartbreaking : ( I'm so sorry, Julie.

I do hope Charlotte will eventually recover. So sad.

Tiff said...

I'm sorry :(

Debi said...

So saddened by the news of Iris. I have always loved to hear stories of your chicks. I know how fond you are of your girls. Take care of Charlotte.

Kim said...

Poor sweet Iris. I would love to have a fox hunt in your woods. I hate that fox!

acorn hollow said...

I am so sorry you lost your Iris. That is one reason I could not keep chickens I would cry for days over them.
Cathy

Rugs and Pugs said...

Julie ~
I am so very sorry.
Hugs to you :)
Lauren

The Red Brick Farmhouse said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your precious Iris. I too, am a chicken keeper and have experienced the loss of one of my girls by a neighborhood cat.

It is a sad day, indeed!

((((hugs))))~
Laura

Wonky Girl said...

Oh gosh, sorry you lost your pretty hen. She looks to have been a Buff Orp, those are a wonderful breed. I still have one from a pair, she is my favorite. I always feel so sad when something happens to one of mine.

Rowan said...

I'm so sorry that Iris has gone and before her time as well. So many people see foxes as just cute, fluffy animals (which they are - I like foxes) but they are also killers and can cause absolute mayhem if they get into a hen house. Poor Charlotte - she must be missing Iris dreadfully.

Peacemom said...

Oh no, Julie! I'm sorry for the loss of your beloved chicken. Where we'll be moving in about a month, we have already seen a fox hole, I'm so worried about this myself. Poor Iris, poor Charlotte. ~Vonnie

PS. Thanks for the visit over to my blog and the kind comments, I appreciate that!

Janet-Olde Crow Primitives said...

Poor Iris.
I am so very sorry. She looked like such a sweet hen.
Janet

Pondside said...

Big sympathy! Everyone at your place will miss Dear Iris.
We haven't lost a girl since we began the Great Raccoon Relocation Project. Fingers crossed!

Janice said...

So sad...

Ginny said...

Hugs for you Julie, so sad to hear this.

Larkrise garden girl said...

Julie, I am so sorry I feel for you.Chickens can be such sweet pets and then there are so many animals,birds that can get them.You can't keep them penned up all day and freedom comes at a cost at times. Hugs to you for loving one of Gods little creatures. Cheri

Zev said...

What a beautiful barn you have in your header picture! Does it have any exciting history stories that you know of?

Terry and Linda said...

Oh, Julie...I am so very sorry!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Eve said...

The hardest part. Sorry Julie.