The Ugly Little Chicken. A Love Story.
This is the story of my ugly little hen.
A hen so dull and boring we didn't even bother to name her.
Her nose is really too big and her comb is really too small.
She's so invisible the other chickens don't even pick on her.
The little hen that almost doesn't even exist.
Someone suggested we name her Cheez Whiz, since Cheez Whiz adds personality. We were desperate. So she was named.
Cheez Whiz now had a name, but still no zing. No expression, no cute chicken characteristics. No personality.
I didn't hate Cheez Whiz. There was no reason to hate her. She was just there. She was so dull there wasn't even anything to hate.
So when a friend lost one of his chickens to a fox I agreed to give him one of my hens. I knew immediately it was going to be Cheez Whiz. I felt bad, but if I was going to part with one of my flock it was going to be her.
I wanted to make room for an Ameraucana you see. They're the chickens that I've always wanted. They're one of only a few breeds of chickens that lay blue and green eggs.
But ... on Easter morning when my boyfriend surprised me up with a box full of day old Rhode Island Red fluffballs I certainly wasn't going to turn them away. Even if they would only lay brown eggs.
So I counted the days until my friend would pack boring, ugly chicken Cheez Whiz into a cardboard box and take her away. Then I could buy a blue egg laying chicken. .
I got a phone call. My friend didn't need an extra chicken anymore. He went out and bought himself a whole flock ... of blue egg laying Ameraucanas.
I was devastated. He was getting the chickens I always wanted, and I was once again stuck with Cheez Whiz. The dull little hen.
Then one day when she was around 4 months old, Cheez Whiz slowly and clumsily made her way into the nesting box for the first time.
The other chickens stood at the door and squawked at her a bit, but she ignored them and went about her business.
Eventually the others left her alone.
It was at exactly that moment I learned a life lesson.
Because on that day, my boring little chicken ... the rose-combed Rhode Island Red named Cheez Whiz ... did this for me.
That day I couldn't even get excited over her blue egg. I couldn't jump for joy or laugh with surprise. All I could manage was to pick Cheez Whiz up and say I'm sorry.
She had a good life Cheez Whiz. She died yesterday. She was the last of my original flock. I found her alone, outside in the run on the cold ground, her body still warm. I suspect she died instantly of a heart attack. I had only been out feeding her an afternoon snack about an hour earlier.
I picked her body up and held her against me and for the last time said to her, I'm sorry.
Heather
I wish more people realized chickens are whole and have their own personalities. Then maybe battery farms would be consigned to history. Vegans might get upset at the suggestion that we eat eggs at all. But it's natural human behaviour to eat eggs whereas there's nothing natural about factory farmed eggs. Lucky little Cheez Whiz that she found herself with you, Karen. May she rest in peace.
Lynda Loy
Rest in peace little Chess Whiz, you did good.
Katie
Peace on the loss of Cheese Whiz. <3
Kitty McCarty
I can't believe this! I have tears on my cheeks! Story was good & all, but then you posted that picture, I lost it.
Eileen
So sorry for your loss Karen.
Cheez Whiz forever - the little hen that could.
Robin Willoughby
Oh Karen....I'm sorry for your loss....
She was just a dull little hen...but she was YOUR dull little hen. ♥️
And such a gift she gave you....in so many ways...
Mary W
Cheeze Whiz was always my favorite - the name is priceless. I'm sorry she is gone but I know she lived a good life with you. I hope you have a little pet cemetary with appropriate markers but maybe your blog is more than enough. Her living has been celebrated.
Suzanne LH
Sorry about Cheez Whiz. The little hen that did. Grinning thru the tears.
Deb Miller
Beautiful, poignant, and heart-wrenching. I mentioned, last night on another of your posts, that I secretly celebrate each morning that my now-7yr-old girls pop out for breakfast, knowing that soon it won't be so. My Pearl is your Cheez Whiz. On my way out to the coop now to (hopefully) find that both of my old girls are once again greeting the day.
Gretchen Sexton
:(
So very sorry Karen.
I loved Cheese Whiz--but I know you loved her more.
((hug))
Kris
Sorry for your loss, Karen. Happy for you that you did have years of blue eggs and loving Cheeze Whiz. Most of your readers seem to be misunderstanding that she laid more than one blue egg. And that she is gone 😞. Very touching post
Holly
I'm so sorry for your loss. Cheez Whiz will forever have a piece of our hearts. Love to you.
Laura
Karen,
You got me. I've cried over this story twice :) Such a good reminder to look for hidden treasures in bland places.
Barb Gardhouse
Again I say, this needs to be published as a children's book with your beautiful photos. It warms my heart. xo
Karen
Thanks Barb. It'd probably good thing for the majority of adults to read too, lol! ~ karen!
Linda J Howes
The end of an era. I am so so sorry for your loss.
Dear father hear and bless thy beasts and singing birds
and guard with tenderness, all creatures without words.
Karen
Thanks Linda. :) ~ karen
Sarah
Rest In Peace sweet Cheez Whiz 💔 I’m so sorry Karen. We lost our sweet Scarlette a few years back. They leave quite the hole.
Sarah
She was my son’s “baby”
Karen
!!! Look how cute! It's hard to lose the ones that are truly pets. ~ karen!
Erin
She had a good run. Condolences, Karen.
Ann Roberts
RIP Cheesewhiz.
We lost our 8+ year old Rooster Hamlet this past year. In his sleep, peacefully as he lived his life.
He was incredible. He was part of the first birds I brought home as well. He was one of 3 roosters and just by luck he did become the one we chose to keep and not for any real reason, just luck. He was so sweet to his hens, never mounted them till their backs were raw. Always called them to eat before he would take a bite. He stood up to a dog once to protect his hens.
When I would enter his run and say Hi Hamlet, he would lift both his wings and flap them like he was saying hi back. I have never had anyone else say they have a rooster who did that. He never acted scared of me, nor did he try to scare me either.
We sure can fall in love with these feathery birds and I can't imagine never keeping chickens again.
Again, CheezeWhiz, go frolic among all the other well loved chickens that have gone before you and I am sure they will share their bugs with you
Karen
Sorry about Hamlet. It's amazing how they take on their role as protector so naturally. ~ karen!
Debbie
Well, I am crying over Cheese Whiz. She had a beautiful and patient soul. I will miss her.
Karen
Steady as a rock she was. :) ~ karen
Dianne
I really love this post. The homely ones, they can surprise you. I adopted a 3 legged dog. Her pictures were nothing great and even the rescue head asked me “Why her? The photos were sh*t.” She’d been waiting about a year for a home. I flew from UK to Rome to get her. At home she was kind of boring then after a couple months her personality burst out around the time I took this candid photo - which ended up in The Royal Photographic Scociety exhibition - a very important exhibition here in UK. She’s won many a prize and more than her weight in dog food at community dog shows. She’s a total ball-breaker, mynunderdog, and is currently staring me down over my pasta lunch.
Karen
Beautiful shot! And dog. You've boosted my mood thinking maybe I can shoot over to Rome to get another chicken. ;) ~ karen