Saying Goodbye To Friends

Fergus, Fionna & Jenny



Today is a sad day, we will be culling Fergus and I am finding it hard to say goodbye. He is sitting next to me on the desk as I type this. He was part of my first chickens, I was given a trio of Cochin bantam cross. I was scared to bits of killing them and that is when I started listening to the Chicken Whisperer.

 As time passed I grew to adore Fergus, Jenny & Fionna. Sadly, Jenny was taken by a raccoon. Last fall I noticed a chick belonging to Fionna & Fergus was having a hard time walking and just assumed it was a broken leg. Time went on and we eventually culled the juvenile bird as it was unable to stand on its own.



Fionna & I Christmas 2011

Last winter Fionna developed the same symptom. I was told more than likely it was Range Sickness since one of her legs was sticking out. I kept her for about 4 months on top of a small cage where she could eat, drink & watch the comings and goings.

This week Fergus developed the same symptoms and while he still has strength in his legs and they are not sticking out at an odd angle, he keeps falling over. He is simply unable to stand. He has had no loss of apatite and no other chickens have developed these symptoms which leads me to believe it to be a genetic issue. I had hoped after nearly a year passing by that he might be safe and that the issue was solely with Fionna & her offspring.

 

Paul has offered to cull him for me as he knows that Fergus has always been a pet. My little trio of chickens that started me on my quest to farm and live a more sustainable life. I credit nearly everything I have done over the past three years to them. They were my inspiration to learn about food.

 

I could keep Fergus on top of a cage like I did with Fionna for months but it somehow seems wrong with my beautiful, regal rooster. So, before Paul goes back on the road I will have him do this for me and I will save some of Fergus's lovely feathers to remind me how special he was.

Learning to say goodbye on the farm is one of the hardest things I've had to learn. It doesn't matter how often I go through it, it never gets easier. Some of these creatures have such distinct personalities that they find a way into your heart even when you know you should not let them in. There are the ones you name and the ones you know are food.

I will never forget how Jenny laid the first egg on the farm, the week of our 5th anniversary. Or how Fionna loved to perch on my shoulder as I walked around the farm. Fergus, would always come up to the house as he knew I would let him to sit on my desk and feed him special treats. He was my special guy.

 

I hope that his son Angus, will not develop this disorder. Since he was hatched from a Rhode Island Red hen I hope he will have enough new genetics to keep him safe. At the moment, I currently have two chicks who have feathers down their legs... Fergus's legacy, they are his "grand chicks" and so far the second & third generations seem to be doing well. Could it have been something as simple as the original trio were too closely related?

Anyway, I'm sharing a few photos of my terrible three... sweet, smart and darlings to the one.