We KNEW this Day would come | Homesteading Off-Grid in Maine

[@patdavis8018]

Poor Betty had a wonderful little life with you guys. It's so easy to fall in love with animals. They are so special. I am so sorry you lost your feathery little friend. ❤😢❤

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you so much!♥️

[@sblauss]

Sorry for your loss but let me tell you please don’t think it gets easier or somehow if you’ve been doing it for a long time it hurts less. We have been doing this homesteading first on 1 acre for 32 years and now up here in Maine on 5 acres, and some creatures just get in your heart and even if you’re raising them from me, he can break your heart to have to put them down. Let me tell you how close you get to a goat milk twice a day for years and then they pass… It is always hard when death comes to the farm, and even knowing that where his livestock there is dead stock. It does not make it any easier give yourself time to grieve, but never think for a minute that because somebody has been doing this for a long time it no longer bothers them.

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you for all of your kind words. It doesn’t make it easier but it does make me feel like I’m not alone. I was hoping it would get easier but in a way I’m glad it doesn’t. Taking a life…no matter the reason, should never be easy to do. ♥️

[@lpgirl]

RIP, Betty. You were a very good hen and well loved.

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you! Yes she was! ♥️

[@evelyndole4618]

So sorry to hear that you lost Betty. I cry every time I have lost a chicken or a duck! But you took very good care of her with good food and treats!

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you so much! I still get choked up. We did our best!! ♥️

[@richardprall4997]

Farm life....not easy.....Strong's to you guys

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

No it’s not! Thanks!♥️

[@Backyard_Chickens]

Sorry for your loss. It's funny how attached we get to our hens. I have a hen with water belly now. Each time I go to put her down, she bounces back and seems fine for a couple weeks. But, in the end, I know what I have to do.

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you so much! We thought the same thing numerous times but she felt wasn’t her time yet. ♥️

[@dolphinbear661]

She had a good life with y'all, RIP, pretty girl❤️🙏

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you so much! We hope she did!♥️

[@SandraCrockett]

Poor Betty.... Sad. It's sad when any living thing is dying......

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you! It is sad! ♥️

[@kevinwelch3282]

You can drain her belly with a syringe. I have a hen that I drained off and that was a year ago. She is happy and normal

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

@@kevinwelch3282 We are happy to hear your hen is doing well! 😊 Unfortunately, draining the fluid does not remedy the underlying condition. Thanks for sharing! 😊

[@danie4617]

We had to mercy cull one of our first hens recently too. As hard as it was there was also a sense of relief as it was definitely best for her. Betty lived a happy chicken life with y’all!

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you! It is one of the harder things with this lifestyle! ♥️

[@LindaDeMauro-k9e]

So sorry to hear about Betty. 😢

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thanks!♥️♥️

[@judithdavis7437]

Sorry about Ms Betty🙏❤️

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you so much! ♥️

[@adelenoel7191]

So sorry! Especially hard with a favorite.

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you! One of the harder things we have dealt with. ♥️

[@kristingrounds4163]

I am so sorry guys. Very sad!

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you so much!♥️

[@Offgridlee444]

So sorry for your loss ❤

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you!♥️

[@Traveler1965]

Although it is sad, like you said, it’s a part of life, and nothing you could do. I’m glad you didn’t do the deed yourself. I think the way you did it was good. Everything is impermanent.

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you! We appreciate your kind words!♥️

[@terihasey6145]

💔 so sorry.

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you!♥️

[@kathleenmonsegue9700]

Rip sweet black betty

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you!♥️

[@DawnMillington-i9t]

Oh no…I have never heard of water belly. Sorry for your loss. Hard to put down your animals. 😅

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you! It is difficult! ♥️

[@dfoltz268]

One of the sad parts of animal husbandry for sure. You give them the best life you can but when they suffer you have to give them the best possible exit as well even when your not ready for them to go. I guess this is just one more thing to add to the pile of "If it were easy everyone would do it"

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

So true!! This is one of the harder things about this lifestyle for us. That pile can get quite large!♥️

[@hepburn995]

So sad and sorry for your loss, and sorry but I can't bring myself to hit the Like for this video, it just doesn't seem right.

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you so much! We understand!♥️

[@HensOnly]

I am so sorry! At least she is in a better place! I had it happened to my hatchery chickens and exhibition breed stock are much better genetically for health AND longevity (life and duration of laying eggs). I had to get exhibition quality birds for that reason and it's MORE expensive. It's awful for any laying hen to suffer from it. No cure, it's genetic in most cases.

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you. Being new to this, we weren’t sure at first. Even though we know it was genetic, you still feel bad…wish we could have done more for her. ♥️

[@HensOnly]

@@HanbleceyaRanch You done everything possible for her. There isn't anything else you could have done and be assured, it's NOT your fault at all. It is what it is. You CAN prolong her life like you mentioned, by removing fluids but the infection would eventually kill her. You have done right by her and don't feel guilty. She gave you happiness and fun getting eggs, and the wonderful video memories, that means a lot. You both are very good chicken owners!

[@HanbleceyaRanch]

Thank you for your kind reassuring words. They are very much appreciated!! ♥️♥️♥️