After many people telling me that they hated chickens because they were stupid, dirty animals I finally had enough. I had my own (unpopular opinion) about a chickens intelligence and personality. My flock of nine girls was as sweet as could be. Each girl had their own personality and they were each loved. They were given proper care and space and I took time to socialize them. As soon as they saw or heard the bag of mealworms come out, they came running. They would allow my toddler to pet and hug them (he was very gentle) and would tolerate (ha) just about anyone holding them. They were the sweetest, sweetest girls.
Fast forward one year, mid day a raccoon climbed their run and got into the coop. He slaughtered most of the ladies very brutally. Three of the girls i had to put down because they were scalped and had organs coming out. It was a very, very sad day. None of the girls were eaten either, just senselessly killed. ONE girl looked like she might make it- she was pretty bloody on her head and neck but would still eat mealworms. She is a Black Australorp named Crooks (due to a crooked toe she was born with). I cleaned her up, medicated her head and gave her electrolytes. I could have put her in a sick bay but she was acting so scared, i thought it would be more humane to put her in with my sister's three silkies whom she knew well from playing in the yard with them since being a chick. I was very worried that they would peck at her due to the blood or hurt her more since that was what I was told would happen since they are chickens. I was wrong. That night, her silkies chose not to roost. They slept on the ground, in a huddle with Crooks, with her right in the middle, totally protected. They cooed at her as she went to sleep and it was the sweetest thing I have ever seen. For the next few days they wouldn't leave her side, they did everything they could to protect her.
Fast forward two weeks, Crooks is alive and healed! She never once stopped laying her usual large brown egg a day. We set up the electric fence and are rebuilding the run. We have new chicks in the brooder, including a little Black Australorp named Crow to replace Crook's old best friend, Dorothy. Everyday we go outside to work, and Crooks is right at our heels helping the best she can (for example, opening a bag of zip ties and scattering them ALL over the yard). The coon killed my neighbors ducklings and chickens, and another neighbors ducks before it was finally captured and killed. I have a brand new appreciation for chickens that i already love. I strongly think, despite what happened, that everyone who can should keep chickens. They are just the sweetest animals and I couldn't imagine my life without at least a few girls clucking at my heels.
Fast forward one year, mid day a raccoon climbed their run and got into the coop. He slaughtered most of the ladies very brutally. Three of the girls i had to put down because they were scalped and had organs coming out. It was a very, very sad day. None of the girls were eaten either, just senselessly killed. ONE girl looked like she might make it- she was pretty bloody on her head and neck but would still eat mealworms. She is a Black Australorp named Crooks (due to a crooked toe she was born with). I cleaned her up, medicated her head and gave her electrolytes. I could have put her in a sick bay but she was acting so scared, i thought it would be more humane to put her in with my sister's three silkies whom she knew well from playing in the yard with them since being a chick. I was very worried that they would peck at her due to the blood or hurt her more since that was what I was told would happen since they are chickens. I was wrong. That night, her silkies chose not to roost. They slept on the ground, in a huddle with Crooks, with her right in the middle, totally protected. They cooed at her as she went to sleep and it was the sweetest thing I have ever seen. For the next few days they wouldn't leave her side, they did everything they could to protect her.
Fast forward two weeks, Crooks is alive and healed! She never once stopped laying her usual large brown egg a day. We set up the electric fence and are rebuilding the run. We have new chicks in the brooder, including a little Black Australorp named Crow to replace Crook's old best friend, Dorothy. Everyday we go outside to work, and Crooks is right at our heels helping the best she can (for example, opening a bag of zip ties and scattering them ALL over the yard). The coon killed my neighbors ducklings and chickens, and another neighbors ducks before it was finally captured and killed. I have a brand new appreciation for chickens that i already love. I strongly think, despite what happened, that everyone who can should keep chickens. They are just the sweetest animals and I couldn't imagine my life without at least a few girls clucking at my heels.
