I've lost my special girl Bitchy. This morning she was grumbling at me to hurry up and lift her down from her perch like she always did. This evening I found her laying down like she just went to sleep. Bitchy was 8..a great age for a chicken, I know. But she was so tough I guess I thought she'd live forever.
Bitchy was head hen her entire life. She kept the others in line with just a stern look or one quick peck. She never held a grudge, she was fair and she was never challenged. All of her flock, including roosters, respected her seniority and her authority.
As tough as she was, Bitchy loved to be held and carried around. She loved having her wattles rubbed and she adored the finer things in life...like stealing the dog's bed to lay in the sun, having worms dug up for her in the garden, mush on a spoon every evening and her soft blanket perch cover. Bitchy is the 2nd longest living from my original flock. Her sister Miss Kitty is the last surviving senior.
Sounds like she had the best chicken life with you and she will be missed very much 
Bitchy in chicken heaven.
