Peep came to us in via Craigslist back in 2013 with her sister (also “Peep”) as little 8 or so week old chicks.
She and her sister were completely inseparable, patrolling the pasture every day side by side.
They were quite the security team, sounding the alarm at the slightest indication of suspicious activity, until Peep2 passed away unexpectedly in 2014 or thereabouts.
After that, Peep was on her own, and I think she came to kind of identify as a chicken, but she maintained her lookout, and more than one bird in the shed owes their continued existence to Peep’s high-pitched alarm.
I hope that the chickens learned from her example and will honor her memory by keeping their little heads on swivels as they roam and graze, being mindful of the ever-present threats from above (eagles, ravens, hawks).
Rest in Peace, Peep.
So sad! I thought I heard her when we were picking apples. Your barnyard won’t be the same.
I’m sure you did- she created a pretty steady stream of chatter. it’s like we’re missing a whole layer of background noise out there now.