Hail to the Queen!

 

This is Queenie.

She came to us via a friend who was moving out west.

Her moniker came with her, and she was aptly named.

Queenie's personality was bigger than life.

She will be sorely missed.

Her sweet spirit floated up to the sky this week,

and I may never be the same.

Absolutely heartbroken.

She was always a leader in the flock,

although she would not use her position to stifle the other hens.

When we got that first group of chooks,

she was Gandalf's favorite girl.

That waned over time, and she took it in stride.

Queenie was the only one of our chooks

who would sit on the front porch 

and watch the world go by.

At least, until she spotted a grasshopper

or other tasty morsel in the grass.

Then she was johnny-on-the-spot

and quick as lightning to gobble it up.

She was a fierce forager.

When she first came to live with us,

she would follow me around quite a bit,

and would even peck me,

as if I were one of her crew.

Over the last year or two,

she was my digging partner.

Whenever there was shoveling to do,

she'd be right there,

just waiting to see what popped up!

That girl was slick!

She and Betty had become best buds.

Due to Betty's balance issues,

she had to be isolated from the other chooks.

(They mercilessly pick on anyone who is not in the best health.)

Betty was initially paired up with Ruby,

one of our comets who was often picked on by the others.

When Ruby passed, I put Queenie in with Betty,

so that she wouldn't be alone.

This worked out great,

because they were both older

and not that happy about Gandalf's still frequent advances.

So, we created an "assisted living" coop and run for them,

and they lived together for the last year or so,

happy as clams.

Here, Queenie is being less than generous,

keeping the new comfy resting spot for herself.

Betty holds no grudges.

So glad these two had some quality time together.

Betty seems to be adjusting,

although I sometimes wonder if she is looking for her buddy.

When the baby chicks were placed outside,

she was the only hen who appeared to be curious about them.

She sat next to their coop for the longest time.

I think she would have made a great momma.

 Queenie, my girl,

you were one in a million!

I hope we meet up again someday.

Rest in peace, little girl.