Read Tulip's Story ^{(In Memoriam)}

Tulip is the longest-living chicken in the history of The Gentle Barn! Chickens typically live between 7 and 10 years, but our beloved Tulip gave us fifteen years! She outlived her mom and fourteen siblings. Tulip was born on our property. We have no idea where they came from, but one day, her mom came out from under a bush with fifteen newly hatched chicks following behind her. With the coyotes, owls, and hawks that live on our property, we knew their chances of survival were slim. After checking with the neighbors to confirm that they didn't belong to anyone, we gathered them up and brought them to the safety of our California barnyard. The family searched for bits of grain and flowers, dust-bathed, napped in the sun, socialized with each other and our other animals, and roosted up high in the eves of the barn at night. One by one, Tulip's mom and siblings passed away of old age, but Tulip loved it here and wanted more time. To help with her mobility and comfort, Tulip had monthly acupuncture, daily organic produce, Sun Chlorella, and even a wheelchair during the last stretch of her life where she would sit and watch videos that we played for her. Tulip was a force of nature, infinitely larger than her tiny two-pound body! When protecting her space from a new chicken, she even crowed! Tulip was the brightest, strongest, and most resilient soul we have ever met, and we will remember her always! We have planted a bed of tulips in her memory.