My little girl is gone and still I cannot believe it. From the day I brought her home, a terrified little bundle of feathers, Effie’s death was something I feared every day. Now that she has left me, I simply cannot comprehend it but must somehow learn to face life without her.
Effie’s tale is much documented – in this blog, in magazines and books and in exhibitions across the world, she became something of a legend. The little hen with the twisted neck (that gave her beautiful body her unique shape) who overcame physical and emotional traumas to find love and happiness in the Cornish sunshine with her beloved Miss Basket and then, with the tragic passing of Miss Basket, she learnt the wonders of motherhood with her three bantam babies. I have many, many wonderful memories of Effie in my head, my favourite is possibly the image of her, a new ‘mother’ standing in the coop at bedtime, her leg cocked in a most unladylike fashion, awaiting the three little feathery bundles who loved to tuck themselves underneath their new mum each night. Effie had a big, brave, beautiful and loving heart.
However, whilst my girl was enjoying every moment of her free range life, her precious body was slowly succumbing to the scars of her caged life.
She had been suffering from a suspected brain tumour for a while – the weeping ear a sign something sinister was lurking inside her beautiful head. In recent months she had increasingly been suffering from panic attacks and was generally slowing down. But about two weeks before she died, she suddenly went blind, or at least lost much of her vision. She was unable to judge distances and walked into objects. Knowing now, that the much dreaded end was in sight, we brought her inside the Human Coop – where she had been spending more and more time anyway with Lemony being broody. We adapted the Human Coop to her needs and she seemed to be coping well. The specialist vets assured me as long as her quality of life was good, then she would be fine. And Effie was happy in the Human Coop, she considered herself human anyway, and had come full circle. She started her life with us in the Human Coop almost four years ago, it seemed fitting it should be where she ended it.
For about ten days all was well, she ate, slept and pootled about the house, but then signs started to indicate that things were going downhill all too quickly. Always a girl who loved her food, suddenly her appetite wasted away to almost nothing and she started to be a little unsteady on her feet. You try and ignore these things, as they are indications of something too painful too comprehend, but then on the Tuesday evening she lost the ability to walk, she fell onto her face repeatedly, panicking and screaming. That all important quality of life was deteriorating rapidly. Knowing what awaited us on Wednesday I spent the night cuddled up with her on the sofa, calming her by talking to her, stroking her feathers and keeping her safe. It was the longest night, but also the shortest night. I tried to tell her how much she meant to me, to so many of us, and she heard me and replied with her gentle bwarks, but there would never be enough time to tell her how truly amazing she was. Our bond went beyond human and pet but was a meeting of spirits. She had been waiting for me and I for her. And now it was time for me to do the hardest but also the kindest thing.
An Effie cuddle was always an honour and a privilege but none more so than when I held her in my arms, as she passed away, slipping peacefully from this world. She died being told how much she was loved and that Miss Basket was waiting for her. And I find a little consolation knowing that Effie is now forever reunited with her beloved Miss Basket.
She was cremated the following evening, a garland of sweetpeas over her body and under her wings and a bouquet of sweetpeas on top of her pink shroud as her spirit soared skywards. In what was the darkest of days for us, a little ray of hope and love flickered in all the beautiful candle tributes people lit for her – not just in the UK but across Europe. We were unbelievably touched by such kindness.

Our candle tribute to Effie. Her candle is the one in the middle at the front and is in a holder with Effie’s name linked to Miss Basket’s with a heart
No words I can write will ever do my Effie justice so I need to make her name and spirit live on to help other hens. Effie’s Garden (as it will forever be known) is already the garden for special hens that Effie had always planned it should be. People contacted me during her lifetime and more so since her death to say that she had made them view hens differently and that Effie’s story had inspired them to get their own hens. To think there are ex-battery hens enjoying a life of freedom today because of Effie, means my girl has left an amazing legacy. For myself I need to do something else for Effie’s memory, as yet I do not know exactly what, but it will come to me and she will guide me. The love and energy that was my little Effie will find a way to truly live on.
For anyone who has ever had, and lost, ex-batts they will understand just how much these girls mean to you. There is something undefinably vulnerable and yet invincible about them. After the abuse they have suffered, still they have the heart to forgive humans, to love us and trust us. I never fail to be humbled by their humanity. And to me, Effie was the epitome of all of those emotions and characteristics. She was more than just a special chicken, she was a symbol of hope for every commercial hen across the world, every animal who suffers abuse at the hands of humans.
And she was my world.
But still, I cannot believe she has gone. Losing her has broken my heart. But the blessing of having known her and to have been the recipient of all the love a little chicken could give to a human will somehow hold my heart together and make me strong enough to face a world without her.
Your work here is done my darling, sleep well old friend xxxx
I am so sorry for your loss, she sounds like a beautiful girl inside and out. I had to wait to write this as the tears were flowing so hard. Thanks so much for loving her and giving her a wonderful life for almost four years. I am sure she knew how much she was loved. RIP beautiful Effie..💟💟💟
Thank you so much xxx
I’m in floods of tears reading your beautiful tribute to precious Effie, Jo. I am so so sorry you lost her. Only the mummy of a very special animal can understand the fear and pain of such a huge loss. My girls and I send you all our love. I am going to give extra cuddles to my very special Angel later. She is my own Effie and I dread the day she leaves me. xxxxx
Thank you Sophie, please give Angel a cuddle from me xxx
I had the privilege of being allowed a cuddle with Effie and knowing her at the beginning of her new life…she was indeed a very special girl. Thank you for sharing Effie with us….I know how much she was loved and cared for. I’m am deeply sorry for your loss and you have done Effie proud with a beautiful tribute. Fly high sweet little darling xxx
Thank you Marie, I am so glad you got to cuddle her xxx
Dear Jo , I’m so sorry from the bottom of my heart. You and effie started me on the road to rescuing battery hens. Effie is a true legend in bringing her story to so many , and thus changing the life of so many other chickens and their owners. I thank you both from the bottom of my heart for letting me into your world of wonderful stories – sending you the hugest hug Jo, know that effie is looking after all our wonderful girls now xxxxxx
Hearing you rehomed ex-batts because of Effie is the best thing I could ever read Sally, thank you xxx
I am so sorry to hear this – I do know how very hard it is – having lost my beautiful Mrs Tweedy and Mrs Hen (both ex-batts) I am in tears reading this. RIP Effie xxx
Thank you Jan, I am so sorry about Mrs Hen and Mrs Tweedy xxx
So very, very sorry about Effie. I know how precious and important she was to you both. I am in floods of tears reading your tribute. I’m going out to cuddle my wee Livvy now – at nearly six (nearly four and a half years free) she is our oldest and most precious lady. In fact I’ll give all fifteen a cuddle before they go to bed.
I will light a wee candle for Effie this evening. xx
Thank you Carole, please cuddle them all (especially Livvy) from me too xxx
This is an exceptionally moving tribute,Jo, to an exceptional chicken. I had the great joy of meeting Effie several times and her courage and loving heart and appreciation of all life has to offer were so evident. She is such a symbol of all the resilience and dignity of exbatts. I am so so sorry for your grief Jo and so glad you have Gary and the rest of your family and all the loved chickens to support you. Effie, most valiant of exbatts, rest in peace xxxxxxxxx
Thank you Liz, lovely kind words, your support has been invaluable xxxxx
I’m in tears for you Jo. What a beautiful tribute to your unique, amazing and beautiful darling Miss Effie. I can’t imagine the pain you are going through, I dread the day I lose Ivy who has been with me over 3 and a half years. It’s so true when you say you try to ignore the things that tell you it will soon be time to say goodbye. No-one but a fellow ex-commercial hen keeper will understand how these girls grab hold of your heart and soul, and the intense pain of losing them.
I’m am so very sorry for your heartache. Miss Effie has left a little footprint on the world.
Sleep peacefully little onexxx
Thank you Sarah, may Ivy enjoy many more happy years with you. And I love the phrase that Effie has left her little footprint on the world, thank you xxx
RIP Darling Effie, you won so many hearts and was so much loved. You have made your mark and become a shining beacon for all the girls who will come after you. They will be able to feel love and warmth for the first time in their little lives because of you. xxxxx
Thank you Anna xxxx
I think there are people worldwide who will miss your darling Effie too.
I looked forward to your updates about her antics, and yet dreaded seeing the final update we were all preparing for.
Her legacy is a proud one, and you made that possible with your love for her.
I know there is much pain at her passing, but there is also joy in knowing she enjoyed such a lot of love after her poor start in life. Almost 4 years of love, care, friends, freedom and security is not to be brushed aside… you did her proud Jo.
You also gave her the final kindness of support and comfort, and understood her need to leave. Thank you for being there for her all the way, and for sharing this precious girl with us around the world.
Your life made a difference to so many Effie. Rest now and catch up with Miss Basket, and continue to spread your love.xxx
Thank you June, what lovely words xxx