Wot an ratty ‘n’ 'orrible bird that looks. I like 'em already.
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Is part of the yolk still on that wee chick?
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Unfortunately, yes - as I said, it was a premature hatch.
I’m sorry to have to report that she didn’t make it. We spent all last night trying to get fluids into her, but there was just nothing there. She died about half an hour ago.
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Poor wee thing. Poor wee you.
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Really sorry, Joe. You obviously tried your best.
Carinthia.xx
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Oh Joe how sad
You did everything humanly possible for the scrap
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Oh what a shame. Poor little thing, but you couldn’t have done more.
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A rather happier update:
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Oh, that’s so good to see. Brava! Excellent Penny.
They trundle at a rate of knots, don’t they?
Thank you for such a cheering update.
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fixed that for you
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Ptee, ptee and SQUAWK! And that is all I have to say on the matter.
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Thank you Joe, that made me smile a lot. How many are there? I tried to count but they move soooo fast.
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I counted eight; was that right?
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Nine was the final total - four light coloured, five with distinct black markings. We’re hoping that it means they’re from both Vicky and Mossy, so that we’ll have something to remember them by.
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Wonderful video Joe
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More sad news - RIP Tysie. Found him dead this morning. Probably just age; we don’t actually know how old he was. Will never forget how solicitous he was over his girls; he stayed beside Penny all the time she was hatching the new chicks, and stood vigil outside the conservatory door when Jilly was ill—actually, dying (see below). A huge heart in such a tiny frame—he’ll be greatly missed by all of us, humans and chickens alike.
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Oh, Joe; it’s being a bad month for you, isn’t it. I’m so sorry.
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Joe I am so sorry
Will you get another rooster?
Hens are so endearing but so fragile
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Oh Joe
Another ‘down’ after great ‘ups’ 
Carinthia.xx
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As if it wasn’t bad enough, I just found the beautiful Bella dead. Looks like she was attacked by something–there was blood on her neck, so we’re wondering if it might be a pine marten or mink. The alternative—that some infection killed them both—is too frightening to contemplate.
Farewell and RIP, our wonderful, beautiful, elegant Bella:
Well, mostly elegant…
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