Marg and I have followed the story of Herbert with our own fond memories of the life and times we have had with our chooks over the 15 + years we have kept them. The joys of new chicks, the frustrations of crowing roosters, the reprieve Rhett the rooster got when he 'trod' our stroppiest hen on the branch of a tree, the sadness of losing a whole family of chicks to foxes...
The first lot (I cannot remember exactly how many, more than four) we lost to foxes so, even in this, we have have shared experiences.
This is one of those times when you have to "get back on the horse that just bucked you off". Keeping animals, whether for food or as pets (Herbert's eggs meant you got both from her) is great training for life for easy child's and G'sFG.
Don't mourn her (too much) but value the enjoyment that she gave you/us all.
Marg's Man
Herbert's gone. difficult child 1 found some scattered feathers in the yard this afternoon, a few with skin attached. We think a large red tail hawk got her because we saw it circling not far off. No other signs anywhere. easy child is devastated. Never thought I'd be so attached to a chicken... really going to miss her... difficult child 1 is mad and took off on his bike. difficult child 2 is overwhelmed and dealing with it by sleeping. I can't stop crying... this just bites. 
