Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Updates
Henny Penny and her egg
It's been a dry winter ... but cold enough that I lost one of my most favorite hens.
Henny Penny did not make it through this winter. She had three days where the cold weather was too cold for her. Even with extra care and hay in the hen house, she must have caught a chill she couldn't survive with. She had lost a few tail feathers thanks (no thanks) to Thurber earlier in the fall. He has a "thing" for chickens, unfortunately. That didn't help in her case, and a few months without those tail feathers and the combination of the cold, we lost her.
She was definitely my little buddy. She would seek me out no matter where I was was I was outside. She'd talk to me and expect first "dibs" on the treats I'd bring out for the chickens. Of course, I'd indulge her and make sure she did have the first opportunity to choose her treats and then share with everyone else. Her eggs were the most unique eggs that I could pick out from any other hens, and she would lay one a day with dependability.
One of the most favorite things I loved about her was that she would let anyone hold her. Anyone. Our son, Michael, even held her while he drove the tractor around in the pasture. Children and adults who were afraid of birds could hold her and no longer fear birds. Our littlest granddaughters adored her. Henny Penny would come into the Paca Shop and take over place with great confidence. In fact, one time she was accidentally locked in there by a visitor for an hour and she didn't leave the place in too bad of shape.
Henny Penny will live on through the stickers we have of her, but mostly in my heart and in the love and memories I have of her.
Henny Penny, queen of the hay wagon
Henny Penny could make anyone smile