Honey Buns

You waddled as you walked and constantly had something to say when noticing someone nearby.  A loner by circumstance, not by choice, you would approach as if desperately seeking friendship and it was always good to see you.

A dark brahma hen and a Honey Buns look alike.

You were unfortunately at the bottom of the pecking order where others would take a shot at you for no other reason other than they could.  I'd watch you keep your distance, but there were plenty of times you simply thought it would be alright to walk past a hen who violently turned and attacked knowing you would not fight back.  Despite being the biggest, you never fought back and wore plenty of battle scars.  Well, those really can't be called battle scars because you never battled, you would simply turn and waddle away, penguin-like, to avoid further conflict.

At night, you learned it was easier to sleep outside rather than dealing with all the hen house drama. I don't blame you. Alone, you roosted in peace on the tractor fender during darkness where I felt sorry for you at sunrise when, once again, you had to deal with the others.

Despite being nearly featherless on the left side of your neck and most other feathers having broken quills from bossy beaks, you remained a constant layer. Even if it required being further tormented by the others, you would persevere and get into a nest box to lay your daily egg.

You were bullied and I feel bad that nature can be so cruel, but you found a way to manage.  I admire and was drawn to you in how you handled life, even though from my point of view it had to have sucked. I remember you at my feet when the mean white hen callously walked up and nailed you. Despite wanting to launch her into orbit for being such a bully, I consciously held back while punting her away. You had remained at my feet, seemingly appreciative for sticking up for you.

But, coyotes are ever looking for an opportunity and an explosion of your broken feathers in a puffy pile out in the pasture told the story: ambushed while too far away from the security of the coop.

Honey Buns, thank you. You'll be missed.  I'll be thinking of you this winter when coyote pelts are thick and worth the time to skin.