12/09/2025
Today we had to let the last of our 8 kids go. We're stunned.
Our dear Claasje was over 11¼ years old, which is absolutely incredible. We had hoped to keep her with us even longer, but it was not to be. Breathing got harder and harder. The meds helped a bit, but she needed more and more every day, with less result, and it was harsh on her body. She still had some fine mornings and afternoons, given the circumstances, but the struggle (especially evenings, nights and early mornings) was unfair. Not being able to properly breathe is apparently the worst thing there is... and we did not want it to get even worse. And for sure it was not going to get better.
Our lovely little chatterbox came to us over 10 years ago. She was the second of the two girls we picked up at a rescue in Belgium in July 2015. Sjoerdje was the first we were handed. The second had almost been another hen, but she jumped out of the rescuers hands and chose to explore their garden instead. Claasje was next in line. And how lucky we turned out to be with that match!!
Claasje was absolutely devoted to Sjoerdje. We called them "the twins", because they did everything together. She also adored Evertje, who joined us in 2018. Big fan.
Because she was so attached to her sisters, we had not really wished for her to be an only chicken - out of our final 3 girls, we actually thought she would cope worst with being the last hen standing. When Evertje left us almost 2 years ago, we believed Claasje would soon follow - she was already very elderly back then, of course, and after all her twin had already passed too. Boy were we wrong about all of that. And we have never been happier to be so wrong.
She was an amazing house hen. A most loyal companion. Extremely sweet and well behaved. Daddy's girl. Mama's cuddle bug. We would sit on the couch together - Claasje in her basket in the middle. She had her doggy stairs to get up and get off whenever she pleased. If one of the humans got up from the couch though, we were treated with alarmed purrs.
She was an absolute joy to have around. What a huge blessing it was to get so close to her these past years. We are so, so grateful.
I don't think any other chicken has been told so often that she was loved and that her parents were so very proud of her. I hope she knows. I think she does...
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In honour of Claasje, we'd like to ask you (if you can) to donate to the Microsanctuary Resource Center, who have helped us financially over the past several years. Also please consider a donation to our friends from Ex-legkipjes who continue doing the good work of caring for chickens who had a bad start at life. Thank you.
