Comments on Urban Chickens Network blog: sudden chicken death: RIP Sophia :-(

f-that, Who says a chicken can't be a pet? People...

2009-09-25T10:55:37.277-07:00

f-that,

Who says a chicken can't be a pet? People have all things as pets: snakes, gerbils, bunnies. Why not a chicken? My two hens run to the door to greet me, they eat out of my hands, they'll stand on my lap. They're pets.

But regardless of how you define "pet", your remark was incredible insensitive and rude. As they say, "anonymity + internet = asshole". I just hope you're at least more decent than that in "real life". If you are, don't forget that people online have REAL feelings to.

Holy crap, it's a chicken not a pet. This site is...

2009-09-25T10:50:00.210-07:00

Holy crap, it's a chicken not a pet. This site is hilarious.

I feel like I have lost a friend. Many of us have...

2009-09-04T06:45:09.436-07:00

I feel like I have lost a friend. Many of us have known Sophia and Zsu Zsu since they joined your family and have loved keeping up with them through your blog. It is bad enough when predators take your chickens but it is worse when they drop dead for no apparent reason. I have lost two before to heat stroke and it always seems strange because others will survive and only one will suffer.

My condolences to your and your famiy. RIP Sophia.

Sorry to hear about Sophia. I know it's easy to g...

2009-09-01T09:51:42.000-07:00

Sorry to hear about Sophia. I know it's easy to get attached to them. I've had to install a mister near the eglu to keep the temp down. Let us know what the lab says.

Thanks, everyone, for the notes of sympathy. I rea...

2009-08-31T18:11:49.000-07:00

Thanks, everyone, for the notes of sympathy. I really appreciate your reaching out to me, and I have to say, I'm surprised to hear so many others have lost chickens! (I guess I never really paid attention to how prevalent it was before). Look for a post on this discovery later.

We're now starting to think about another chicken... our eldest daughter is already trying out names :)

I lost two chickens last year and it was really ha...

2009-08-31T18:03:32.333-07:00

I lost two chickens last year and it was really hard, but it hasn't stopped me from getting attached to my other hens. While chickens don't live as long as other pets, I'm happy to enjoy them while they're here with me.

I know your sadness is still fresh, but I encourage you to get some new girls soon to keep Zsu Zsu company. Chickens need friends. And perhaps some cute fuzzy baby chicks will cheer your family up a bit.

I'm so very sorry! I'm so attached to my just fiv...

2009-08-31T16:35:23.896-07:00

I'm so very sorry! I'm so attached to my just five-month old chickens, I can't imagine losing one. Best wishes for good health in the coop!

So so so sad. I'm sorry.

2009-08-31T09:17:07.342-07:00

So so so sad. I'm sorry.

So disappointing when this happens, and sad when i...

2009-08-31T06:10:59.122-07:00

So disappointing when this happens, and sad when it's a chicken you've become attached to.

I am so very sorry for your loss! I recently dec...

2009-08-30T15:13:42.124-07:00

I am so very sorry for your loss!

I recently decided that despite it being my dream to have chickens one day, now is not the right time for us living here in Pheonix. It has been an intensely long, hot summer, and I know how much I would worry about trying to keep a little flock cool and alive over so many hot months. Others do it here, but for me, well I couldn't bear to lose any to heat exhaustion.

So hard for you guys, and Zsu Zsu. :(

Thanks all for the kind thoughts. It's sad to se...

2009-08-30T14:43:04.072-07:00

Thanks all for the kind thoughts.

It's sad to see ZsuZsu (the surviving chicken) all alone in the coop now.

I'm taking Sophia's remains to the UC Davis lab in the morning and will let you know what I find out.

What No frying Pan

2009-08-30T14:24:14.767-07:00

What No frying Pan

So sorry for your loss! We lost our Chloe II sudde...

2009-08-30T10:29:05.096-07:00

So sorry for your loss! We lost our Chloe II suddenly and it was very sad. We think she might have been egg-bound but at the time she had just started laying and didn't think anything of it when she wasn't as regular as her buddy Cleo. Who knows with these things. They are fragile pets, but I couldn't simply decide to not be attached to them. They are too sweet to not care about.

I'm sorry for the loss of your chicken. We lost on...

2009-08-30T07:22:39.458-07:00

I'm sorry for the loss of your chicken. We lost one earlier in the spring and it was heart wrenching. It was then that I decided that they will be called collectively "the girls" from now on...no more naming!

Zsu Zsu woke up early this morning, noisier than u...

2009-08-30T06:56:14.251-07:00

Zsu Zsu woke up early this morning, noisier than usual.

I went down to check on her and to let her out for a few minutes.

Once back in the run, she kept going over to the corner where we found Sophia.

I think she does miss her sister. :-(

That's so sad :( My friend who raises chickens war...

2009-08-29T22:20:11.383-07:00

That's so sad :(
My friend who raises chickens warned me when I got mine that they "die at the drop of a hat so don't get too attached". I don't see how one couldn't get attached to animals that live with them though. It makes it sadder to hear the other chicken was so upset losing her buddy. I'll be interested to hear what the lab says.