Maria G
In the Brooder
- Feb 1, 2015
- 59
- 3
- 41
I am feeling a bit down now, as I have lost 3 young chicks (6 weeks) over the last 10 days. Snatched in the middle of the day while people and dogs were in and out of the garden. They were alone 5-10 minutes max when it happened, the last time max 2 minutes. I found some feathers for the first two, and the last chicken we found gutted and with a missing head in some bushes. I suspect it was a weasel (marten) or cat. I have seen badgers and fox in our garden too, but only at dusk/dawn.
We live in a suburban area (in Norway) with houses, cars and people close by, though there is a little strip of forest in our back garden next to the train tracks.
My plan was to free range the chicks, so I planned to build only a small run. But now it seems like I have to build a predator proof run where the chickens have to be all the time. This can only be built in the back of the chicken house, which is dark, damp an depressing. To make it nice, I will have to extend it a lot, which is very expensive, or build a new chicken house in a different location.
We have enjoyed the older chickens so much when they free range around us. Is there any hope that the problem is only for the smaller chicks? The 12 week olds have not been touched so far. I am ok with keeping the smaller chicks cooped up until they reach a certain size, and not let the older ones out unless there is somebody home. Right now I can't even go inside to powder my nose without losing a chick!
Is there any hope for my free range dream?
We live in a suburban area (in Norway) with houses, cars and people close by, though there is a little strip of forest in our back garden next to the train tracks.
My plan was to free range the chicks, so I planned to build only a small run. But now it seems like I have to build a predator proof run where the chickens have to be all the time. This can only be built in the back of the chicken house, which is dark, damp an depressing. To make it nice, I will have to extend it a lot, which is very expensive, or build a new chicken house in a different location.
We have enjoyed the older chickens so much when they free range around us. Is there any hope that the problem is only for the smaller chicks? The 12 week olds have not been touched so far. I am ok with keeping the smaller chicks cooped up until they reach a certain size, and not let the older ones out unless there is somebody home. Right now I can't even go inside to powder my nose without losing a chick!
Is there any hope for my free range dream?