With a mix of sadness and relief, I can announce that the last of my flock has died. Poor old Vera was clearly ailing in the last few days. The chicken run is now empty of life; just an empty nesting box and empty henhouse (except, perhaps, for Felix) and a chicken wire fence keeping nothing in.
The last photo I have of Vera is the one above when, on a miserable, grey, drizzly day, she sheltered in the henhouse with her good friend, Felix, keeping her company. She stayed there all day and made no effort to go to her usual bed when it grew dark, so I let her be, knowing she had clean dry hay to lie on. The next day (Monday) she shuffled into the far corner, so I knew she wouldn’t welcome any of my ministrations, nor was she interested in the food or water nearby. This morning it was clear that she had died.
She is buried under the karo tree where she spent a lot of time in the sun or just hunkered down in what I called ‘the chicken lounge’.
The chicken poop scoop, bucket and brush have been retired. The bags of peck-and-lay and meal worms, the neem oil for her feet, the bags of straw and sawdust, are no longer needed. There are no plans to re-stock.
The chicken run is now haunted by the clucky spirits of Betty I and Betty II, Dora (the explorer), Popcorn, Mabel and Vera.
Anne-O-tations 
Sorry to hear that Vera is now gone. Itâs hard when they go, but I totally understand the relief too. I have one quail left: Fliss. I didnât think sheâd hang around for long after Glee died, but Fliss seems to be still going strong, on her own in the run.
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Vera did well on her own too. Her feathers grew back. She had a mirror for company in the henhouse, but I don’t know if she was fooled by it! She and Felix seemed to get on well and she’d hang about with me when I was in the garden.
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Sorry to hear of Vera’s demise. Felix will miss her, and you will no longer have to go out in the garden on cold mornings to give her warm breakfast. That ghostly clucking will linger in your thoughts.
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It will, as will the tap-tapping on the window as she looked inside with envy!
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Hi Anne – I’m so sorry for your loss of Vera. I have enjoyed reading about the chooks, and know you will miss Vera. Felix looks like he will easily fill the space in your lives. He is a beautiful boy!
Take care and best wishes
Ann (bookclub)
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Thank you, Ann.
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Lovely that Felix was keeping her company.
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