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May
3

The Littlest Chick

Sleepy was the littlest chick. He walked funny and he slept–a lot. The other chicks ran over Sleepy sometimes, even in the big new brooder where they all have plenty of room. The kids were the ones who named him Sleepy, and they loved him.

Then 15 said, “There’s something in Sleepy’s butt.” (14 is the new 15–he had a birthday.)

I got out my chicken books and studied up. I think Sleepy was “pasted up”–his stool was sticking to his bottom, closing up the vent, which can harden, seal up, make the chick unable to poop, and then die. So we cleaned little Sleepy’s butt.

But maybe we didn’t notice Sleepy’s problem soon enough. Or maybe Sleepy’s failure to thrive went deeper than his bottom. Sleepy went to sleep, and he didn’t wake up. And since Sleepy had become our little favorite, we are sad.

The other chicks seem to be doing great.





Eating and drinking…..





…..and grooming….





…..and growing as they should.





They have lots of room to run around so there isn’t too much pecking at each other.





Lucky is still the big guy.





And we’re grateful for our little band of 11.





But we’ll miss our little Sleepy.

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Posted by Suzanne McMinn on May 3, 2008  

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  1. 5-3
    5:24
    am

    Aw, poor little Sleepy. But that’s Nature’s way and it’s wonderful the others are doing well.

    Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

    -Kim :-)

    Kim A. - Reply to this comment Reply
  2. 5-3
    5:29
    am

    I’m so sorry about your little guy Suzanne. It is amazing how quickly these creatures become near and dear to our hearts isn’t it? I’ve enjoyed ’sharing’ in this with you guys as they grow. I in fact just told my hubby the other day that I want some chickens. He was not amused. But then I’ve always wanted to have a farm whereas he is my city guy. And of course we do live in town so it really isn’t possible but I keep thinking one day I’ll return to the country. Actually I’ve also told him that when I make my first million from writing we ARE moving to the country and he has agreed. :cool: Guess he feels pretty confident he has nothing to worry about. :cool:

    Have a great weekend!
    Cole

    Nicole Reising - Reply to this comment Reply
  3. 5-3
    6:00
    am

    R.I.P. Sleepy.

    How is *LUCKY*?

    Chris Griffith - Reply to this comment Reply
  4. 5-3
    7:31
    am

    AWW I am sorry about SLEEPY that makes me sad you are doing a great job with the others

    sunshine - Reply to this comment Reply
  5. 5-3
    8:07
    am

    God must have had other plans for Sleepy, but he knew you all loved him very much. Sorry for your loss. xxoo

    Carolyn - Reply to this comment Reply
  6. 5-3
    8:09
    am

    It is amazing how quickly we grow fond of little animals. Yes, it hurts deep in our heart when they “leave us”.

    Your other chick-lets are so cute.

    Amelia in Oklahoma

    Amelia - Reply to this comment Reply
  7. 5-3
    8:17
    am

    I get “attached” just reading about them and seeing their pictures…

    But as you say, the 11 you have are 11 reasons to be grateful. They all look so full of personality.

    Ann from Montana - Reply to this comment Reply
  8. 5-3
    8:19
    am

    I’m so sorry to hear about little Sleepy. I think he’s at the Rainbow Bridge with all of my beloved critters that have passed on. If you have never read the Rainbow Bridge poem, google it. It has always comforted me.

    Have a great weekend,
    Lauri

    Lauri V - Reply to this comment Reply
  9. 5-3
    8:19
    am

    CHICKENS WILL BREAK YOUR HEART! I am sorry but they will.
    I know I sound like a sap, but you can get real attached.
    Good luck with them. Isn’t the little araucana cute with their little sideburns.

    wkf - Reply to this comment Reply
  10. 5-3
    8:21
    am

    Man, I’d have a rough time with this. Farm girl or not, it’s hard to lose such a cute animal!!

    Kacey - Reply to this comment Reply
  11. 5-3
    8:35
    am

    It’s so sad to hear about Sleepy.

    Dru - Reply to this comment Reply
  12. 5-3
    8:42
    am

    We are have 5 grown chickens, we love them! We are picking up baby chicks on monday, 3 of them. Sorry for your little chick!

    Happy Mommy - Reply to this comment Reply
  13. 5-3
    9:10
    am

    Darn, Suzanne. You hate to lose even one, especially one that grabbed your heart. I have seen chicks like Lucky–they walk kind of sideways like they can’t quite get their balance. We used to try everything we could think of to save them, but they always died. I think there was just something wrong with their development in the shell.

    The rest of them look so happy and contented in their little home.

    Granny Sue - Reply to this comment Reply
  14. 5-3
    9:29
    am

    AWW! I am so sorry! They are all growing so quickly already – we can see changes just from the pics you post everyday! Thanks for sharing all this with us – it brightens our day! Blessings!

    Sandy - Reply to this comment Reply
  15. 5-3
    9:35
    am

    Are those feathers I’m seeing on Lucky’s wings? It’s so fun to watch them develop!

    I’m sorry you lost Sleepy.

    beeyourself - Reply to this comment Reply
  16. 5-3
    10:02
    am

    Oh… that makes me so sad :cry: .

    Poor Sleepy. Poor you and the kids.

    Marianne - Reply to this comment Reply
  17. 5-3
    10:07
    am

    Sorry to hear about Sleepy. :( But it’s natures way of making the flock healthier. Have a great weekend! And HELLO 15!

    Jodie - Reply to this comment Reply
  18. 5-3
    10:26
    am

    Aww I’m sorry for the loss of Sleepy. May he R.I.P. in chicken heaven.

    Treasia - Reply to this comment Reply
  19. 5-3
    10:33
    am

    Bless his/her soul!
    I’m so enjoying reading about your chickens. A wonderful ever-unfolding story.

    annbb - Reply to this comment Reply
  20. 5-3
    10:33
    am

    I LOVE THE CHICKS THEY R VERY CUTE :rockon:

    Princess THAT'S RIGHT THE PRINCESS THE 1 AND ONLY - Reply to this comment Reply
  21. 5-3
    10:36
    am

    Ah, poor little Sleepy! He’ll be missed!

    Jill S. - Reply to this comment Reply
  22. 5-3
    10:46
    am

    It’s sad to lose them. I don’t think we’ve ever not lost one or two during a hatch.

    Remudamom - Reply to this comment Reply
  23. 5-3
    10:47
    am

    These pictures are incredibly lovely. Beautiful, sweet, precious. I’m sorry about Sleepy…I heard a Calvin and Hobbes quote yesterday…(Okay, stick with me on this..it applies..) Calvin had discovered a hurt raccoon and when it died Calvin says ” He’s gone outside, but he’s still here, inside…” that’s how death feels no matter how tiny the creature.

    Maria - Reply to this comment Reply
  24. 5-3
    10:48
    am

    Sooo sorry about Sleepy. :cry:
    Love your new baskets and your chicks are adorable.
    I know you can’t wait to get up in the morning and hear their little peeping.

    Beckynsc - Reply to this comment Reply
  25. 5-3
    10:59
    am

    Awww, sorry about Sleepy. I like what Maria said about Calvin and Hobbes racoon. I know Sleepy is up there with Rhodey and her sisters, being chicken angels. You’ve done so well with these though, they are adorable and all look so healthy!

    Claudia W - Reply to this comment Reply
  26. 5-3
    11:43
    am

    How sad!

    Lexi Connor - Reply to this comment Reply
  27. 5-3
    11:49
    am

    I’m so sorry about Sleepy. Poor baby. *hugs*

    Tori Lennox - Reply to this comment Reply
  28. 5-3
    12:32
    pm

    and you will always remember Sleepy, me too!

    robin - Reply to this comment Reply
  29. 5-3
    1:13
    pm

    It really is amazing how our brains can separate loving baby chicks and animals and yet we can still eat them. I’m guilty as charged. My sister and nephew are vegetarians but I’m too lazy. I have a friend who breeds Maltese dogs and there’s always ones that die even after she tries nursing them to health. Besides my own inside pets, I’ve had some with my outside ferals/strays and I never seem to get over it. On the other hand – horray for 11 heathly chicks!!!!

    catslady - Reply to this comment Reply
  30. 5-3
    1:31
    pm

    I’m sorry about Sleepy. Growing up on my grandparents’ farm, the best thing was always the babies – cows, pigs, chickens etc. It was always heartbreaking to lose any of them. Best wishes and prayers for the 11.

    Debbie in Memphis - Reply to this comment Reply
  31. 5-3
    3:23
    pm

    I am sad for you!

    Estella - Reply to this comment Reply
  32. 5-3
    3:55
    pm

    I’m so sorry to learn of the passing of Sleepy. :cry:

    I am glad you explained 15. You had me wondering if you had been keeping a big secret from us! :birthday1: 15!

    Susan - Reply to this comment Reply
  33. 5-3
    5:25
    pm

    I sure hope the rest do well. I’ve raised many a batch of chicks without too much trouble from “pasty butt” as its officially called in the scientific realm. Our recent hatch though went from pasty to black droppings (coccidosis) and we’ve lost all but 7 out of 17. So saddening. Have five goslings in the incubator right now so making plans to keep them separate. Good luck, chickens are alot of fun.

    Sonya - Reply to this comment Reply
  34. 5-3
    10:25
    pm

    :no: Ohhh, that is sooo sad. I think Sleepy is in Heaven….with our other beloved pets waiting on us. The rest are precious and fuzzy and adorable…I hope they all thrive and stay alive!

    Donna - Reply to this comment Reply
  35. 5-4
    12:50
    am

    Hugs to the McMinn gang on Sleepy’s loss.

    Amy Addison - Reply to this comment Reply
  36. 5-4
    2:47
    am

    Aw, Suz, I’m so sorry!

    DW - Reply to this comment Reply

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"It was a cold wintry day when I brought my children to live in rural West Virginia. The farmhouse was one hundred years old, there was already snow on the ground, and the heat was sparse-—as was the insulation. The floors weren’t even, either. My then-twelve-year-old son walked in the door and said, “You’ve brought us to this slanted little house to die." Keep reading our story....



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