Our little araucana chicken, Little Connie, died the other day. I think I'll always have the vivid memory of my husband walking in the side door with a dead chicken in his arms. I think he wasn't sure what to do. Little Connie had to be at least 8-10 years old, as we got her from someone on Craig's List when she was 2-3 years old, at least... She laid the bluish-green eggs, until the last few years when she was really just hanging out, and as new chicken ranchers, we are not brave enough to cull our flock by killing, so we've let the older hens enjoy a retirement here in Niles.
Little Connie always reminded me of my great aunt in her later years. They both had a very stiff-legged walk, seemed to be suffering from arthritis, but maintained a very formal, proper sort of dignity. They also both became skinnier as they aged.
RIP Little Connie...
