Fleur, my 8 and a half year old Cuckoo Marans, died during the night.
I'm relieved. And I'm so very sad.
She was a funny girl. Very big, and not very bright. She laid dodgy dark brown eggs, and was low in the pecking order, possibly at the bottom.
We bought her, along with Fay, as an 8 week old chick. She was never quite right, and I'm surprised she lived to the age she did. It doesn't make it any easier.
She made me chuckle so much. When our home hatched birds were learning to play Jumpy Uppy (where we got them to jump up on my arm), she just couldn't work it out. She did, however, learn that if she jumped on the spot, we'd give her a treat.
She hated to be picked up, partly because she was so heavy I think. We respected that, and didn't try and force her to be petted. She was happy to eat from the hands, and always knew her name.
She and her flock mate, Fay (a Fayoumi), weren't particularly close. They stuck together at the beginning, because they were both newbies. They didn't particularly spend time together as adults.
However, during Fleurs last day in the garden, Fay went and stood with her for a very. very long time. I don't often see hens taking care of each other, but this was really special.
I also saw that the others crowded round her, without jostling, and that surprised me. They also all wanted to go in the same coop, something they have never done before.
Nest in peace, lovely girl
