The Loss of Marigold

Only a few short days after Eartha's passing, Marigold followed suit.

I woke up one sad summer morning to a few mournful shouts, as Marigold had already passed overnight. She was found lying on the bottom of the coop, with yolky egg substances leaking from her back side. Very early in the morning, my mother swears she heard thrashing about in the coop, which we believe could have been her death throes, but there was nothing that could have been done.

To lose two chickens in the span of a week is very disheartening and the flock seems very empty with only five members. We believe the losses were both egg related and that the heat may be suspect to blame. Chickens are sensitive to heat and thus as the temperatures warm up rather drastically, they can't get used to it quick enough. It messes with their systems throws them off. 

Marigold was always a great character, with her recognizable sounds and actions. The way she preened, the way she kicked her foot out randomly as if she had a sort of muscle tick. The way she got loud and upset if she didn't feel she was being given treats fairly, yet the way she would run from treats and people in general. She wasn't the friendliest of the chickens, often being very flighty. Yet when she would warm up to you she could sit in your lap for a very long time. Her comb and wattles were very soft, and her feathers were always neat and soft as well. She was best friends with Millicent, the chicken she arrived here with. Now, we worry that Millicent will be lonely or be off-put by the loss of her dearest friend.

We will miss you, Marigold