This morning Ming had to put our beautiful Malay rooster out of its misery because it had been injured by one of our dogs who somehow got to him despite pen arrangements.
Malay was one of the chicks that hatched here under a shed and grew up to be majestic, proud and confident. He was able to fly up into a tree if he sensed danger. He must have been taken by surprise and I feel a sense of devastation and guilt.
Blaze (miniature dachschund) and Jack (Irish terrier) have never attempted to kill any of the peafowl or guinnea fowl, or even the geese. They go for the chooks, so I have decided that it is too risky to have chooks anymore. The wild foxes get them too despite all my protective methods (fox lights, sturdy yards etc.)
I am learning a lot about loss lately.
http://www.mamamia.com.au/social/i-am-a-murderer-but-i-do-it-for-love/
jmgoyder 
Oh Julie, I’m sorry!! I wish there was a way to not ‘like’ a post and still like it. And it is true – loss is loss – it hurts however you define it. Love to you and Ming.
Thanks – I really appreciate this.xxx
so sorry – devastation comes in all shapes and sizes
Exactly right.
Oh no. Poor Malay, Ming and you.
Thank you – very kind!
Sorry to hear that, Julie.
Having to put beloved pets, of any kind down, is not easy.
Having to put the ones that you’ve had from ‘chickhood’ is even harder as you’ve watch them grow and mature.
Life is difficult on the land (as my Mother used to often say of her farming background), but somehow your family seems to have had more than your share of difficult times.
Poultry are much safer in suburbia!
I am sorry too… Love to you and Ming, nia
Thanks Nia!
What a loss… if the dogs don’t get it the fox will… tough life for a chook….
Beginning to give up on the chook idea.
Oh Julie, this sounds hard.
Daniel & me had two chickens in Perth – not mine but came with the house. I cared for them best I could. One day one was not in the pen and utterly PETRIFIED – WOULD NOT MOVE – on top of a wood pile. The slats in the fence were askew. Long story short, a dog that does not live next door, but next door’s friend visited (with her dog) and her dog went wild and chased the chicken who got scared to death. It only lived another day.
I am glad, despite how difficult, you put it out of its misery. I didn’t know what to do with the chicken, and “I’m so sorry” just wasn’t enough.
It’s horrible.
It’s very hard to see your animals die- but does teach kids about death in a real way. Sorry about the bird!
We have lost so many now.
so much sadness for you guys…Hugs xo
It’s sort of normal on a farm but still ghastly and sad.
I am so sorry for both you and Ming. It is so very painful to watch a pet who was nurtured suddenly be in pain and there is nothing that you can do aside from doing the loving thing and let them go. It hurts tremendously and I’m glad that you and Ming had each other during your time of emotional pain. Hugs from here in Blandford.
Thanks Laurie.
C’es la vie, Jules.
x
Yup.
I know by the comments already that you have many that feel for the hurt that you’re going through right now and I will just add my condolences for this loss of your very much loved ‘rooster’….You have a very soft heart….Diane
My soft heart is hardening.
out of necessity….Diane
It’s a hard season, Julie. I’m sorry. My dad used to say the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. It’s the cycle of life. You will make it through, my friend. Sending big Texas love across the waves…
Thanks Wisdom.
I’m so sorry, Julie. Hugs to you and Ming.
Thanks Trisha.
I remember going through all these disasters when we had chickens and pheasants. There’s always something waiting to get them. So sorry you’re having to deal with this. But there are lots of good things about raising birds too, so hang in there.
I am so sick of these casualties. Chooks are so vulnerable.
oh how sad, it is like losing one of your family members. I can understand about not having animals that the wild like to chase down. so sorry Julie for what has happened
Thanks buddy.
Last summer, our neighbour’s dog came through the broken fence, went to our garden and killed one of our hens. http://janetsnotebook.com/2012/08/05/postcard-from-singapore-one-dead-chicken/
I’m still shocked after so many months later.
So sorry, Julie.
Thanks Susan.
So sorry about the rooster.
Thanks Elizabeth.
Oh, how devastating. It was the loving- the right- thing to do, but that doesn’t lessen the pain. I’m so sorry.
Ming has had to do this a few times now – horrible.
Tough decisions and tough lost. Feel so sorry for Ming that had to do it. That’s why I could never live on a farm with animals and birds that I will get detached to. So sorry for … the lost.
Thanks Viveka.
😦 Hard lessons, indeed.
Yes.
Shame, Jules – sorry 😦
Thanks bluebee.
Losing animals is difficult …. be strong.
Trying.
Poor old guy.
I miss him.
Sad. Ahem, dare I ask about Tina?
Long gone.
ok. not surprised.
Oh, that’s so sad. And right on the heels of my loss of my Beth.
On reflection, the above comment sounds sarcastic. I did not mean it that way. I truly find it sad. Sorry if I miscommunicated that.
Don’t be silly!
I understand. I could never be a farmer….
i am so sorry. i feel the loss of my kitties from years ago still. birds are so special, fragile yet strong in their way. atleast he had a good home and was cared for.
I’m sorry about Malay, and that you have to give up on your chickens. Around here it is hawks and the neighbors dogs. We now have high fences against the marauding dogs. As for the hawks, well, hawks gotta eat… but, it doesn’t erase the shock or the sadness. 😦
I’m glad your big birds are safe!
Julie, The care and love you have for all of the criters you have around is amazing and I am sorry for your lost. Please take care, Bill
Oh, no! Sorry about Malay.