In Memory of Boo, Chili, and Cheeky

Rebuilding for Minty: In Loving Memory of Boo, Chilly, and Cheeky

Hi everyone,

First, I want to thank each of you who’s reached out over the past few days. I haven’t been able to call or message much—I’m just trying to keep going hour by hour—but your kind words, your prayers, your presence, and your memories of our girls mean everything to us, as most of you know a raccoon broke into our coop and killed Boo Chili and Cheeky two nights ago… they were our world we treated them just like family. I don’t really know how we’re ever gonna get through this loss.

For everyone who has loved, cried, commented, smiled, or shared in the joy of our girls from afar—or if you were lucky enough to meet them in person—you know how truly special they were. These weren’t just chickens. They were something else entirely. Their love, their energy, and their little spirits brought so much light to everyone around them and to everyone around me. I’ve seen it in your comments, your posts, and your memories of them. They made people feel something. And that’s rare.

And we are heartbroken.

We’ve seen tragedies like this shared in the chicken groups for years, and we always tried to learn from them, improve our setup, and do everything right. We never thought we would be the ones writing a post like this. But here we are.

Boo… my sweet, sweet girl. She was a spirit like I’ve never met—bubbly, gentle, loving, and kind. She didn’t have a single mean bone in her body. She was truly an angel on earth. I raised her from a tiny baby inside the house for eight months because she wasn’t being accepted by the others, and during that time we developed a bond that I never imagined possible. She was like my little shadow. Her presence was something magical. She didn’t deserve what happened… and I still can’t say her name without tears streaming down my face.

Chili was also so so special …. I also raised her indoors she was my first baby and from the time that she was little until the time that she was grown, she ran to me every morning and requested hugs. She learned tricks. She’d jump up on my arm when I called her. Every morning, she’d sit with me and watch the butterflies and birds in the garden. She was peaceful, smart, full of grace—and she trusted me with her whole heart.

Cheeky had just started to come out of her shell. It took her two years to fully open up to me, and lately, she had started to sit calmly and let me hold her and pet her. She was blossoming into such a sweet soul, and she was just beginning to let love in.

And now… just like that, they’re gone. Taken in an instant. I walk into their space and all I see now is devastation and silence. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I can’t even look at photos of them yet without completely breaking down. It’s just so, so hard.

But somehow, through all of this, Minty survived. She’s the tiniest of them all, and now she’s alone, confused, and grieving right along with us. And I know I have to be strong for her—and for the new little friends we’ll eventually welcome into her life.

That’s why I’m starting this GoFundMe. I want to rebuild their coop—not just as a shelter, but as a tribute to the deep love we shared. I want to build something safer, stronger, and full of light and warmth. Their home was filled with joy, routine, and so much love. And now, it feels empty and heartbreaking. We have to rebuild. Whatever it takes—we have to make this right. We cannot continue like this.

If you’re able to give anything at all—whether it’s a donation or just sharing this link—it would mean the world to us. Whoever lives in this new coop will be loved beyond measure, just like Boo, Chilly, and Cheeky were. Their memory deserves that.

Thank you for loving them with us.

With all my heart,

Sydney