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Sad day today...

post #1 of 26
1/7/12 at 6:02pm
Thread Starter 

Today I went outside to find one of my favorite silkie chickens lying on the floor of the coop, practically ripped to shreds. And the worst part is that he was still barely alive. I could see him twitching and breathing out of his beak. I couldn't bare to see him suffer so.... I made myself... drown him... hit . It was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Luckily, since he was already so limp he didn't squirm much. sad

Since I free range my chickens I'm thinking it was probably a predator. I doubt that a flock-mate of his would have done this.

RIP My dear Cricket. His name was Cricket because the only sounds he made was a really high-pitched whistle-y crow and those high-pitched squeaky noises that chickens make when they find something yummy. He made those sounds constantly and he could always make me smile. hit

RIP Cricket!

~Teresa
owner of 3 Araucanas, 1 New Hampshire, 1 RIR, 1 Silver Lakenvelder, 2 White Rocks, 1 Partridge Silkie, 2 Frizzled Silkie Roos, 1 Old English Game bantam, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Old English Game Roo, 1 Royal Palm tom turkey, 1 horse, 2 llamas, 4 nubian does, 3 cats, 1 dog, 1 uramastix, 1 albino fancy cornsnake, 2 guinea pigs, 2 emus, and 1 bearded dragon. I LOVE THEM ALL!
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~Teresa
owner of 3 Araucanas, 1 New Hampshire, 1 RIR, 1 Silver Lakenvelder, 2 White Rocks, 1 Partridge Silkie, 2 Frizzled Silkie Roos, 1 Old English Game bantam, 1 Buff Orpington, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Old English Game Roo, 1 Royal Palm tom turkey, 1 horse, 2 llamas, 4 nubian does, 3 cats, 1 dog, 1 uramastix, 1 albino fancy cornsnake, 2 guinea pigs, 2 emus, and 1 bearded dragon. I LOVE THEM ALL!
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post #2 of 26
1/7/12 at 6:03pm

So sorry for your loss hugs

 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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 Crested Ducks                     Common Chicken Practices          Learn more about Avian Influenza

 

 

Helen: Daria, do you have to look at everything in such a negative light?

Daria: Could you possibly be referring to the harsh light of reality?

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post #3 of 26
1/7/12 at 6:04pm

Be on high alert.  I am afraid that the predator will return.

Friends are the family you make for yourself.
There are no coincidences- only providences.
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Friends are the family you make for yourself.
There are no coincidences- only providences.
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post #4 of 26
1/7/12 at 6:34pm

So sorry to hear this. Figure out how he got in and secure your coop. Full moon tonight, so the bad guys have a lot of light to work with for hunting.

Four Columbian Wyandotte hens, and a charming young roo who's growing fast.
My Chickens Page                  Fowlies Bregère - our coop additon                Little Chicken Wagon


 

 

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Four Columbian Wyandotte hens, and a charming young roo who's growing fast.
My Chickens Page                  Fowlies Bregère - our coop additon                Little Chicken Wagon


 

 

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post #5 of 26
1/7/12 at 6:52pm

hugs I am sorry you had to go through this. hugs

Life is to short to fuss and argue over the small things.
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Life is to short to fuss and argue over the small things.
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post #6 of 26
1/7/12 at 6:54pm

sad

I am so sorry!!!!!!!

hugs

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post #7 of 26
1/7/12 at 6:55pm

hugs  So sorry for your loss!  Sounds like he had a good life with you.  Keep an eye out for the predator that did this!  hugs

Happily owned by 7 fluffy butt girls: 1 BO, 3 BA, and 3 Cochins.  Also have 11 hermit crabs, 2 giant african millipedes, a ball python, and a wonderful irish wheaten terrier!  2 awesome boys who love them all!

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Happily owned by 7 fluffy butt girls: 1 BO, 3 BA, and 3 Cochins.  Also have 11 hermit crabs, 2 giant african millipedes, a ball python, and a wonderful irish wheaten terrier!  2 awesome boys who love them all!

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post #8 of 26
1/7/12 at 6:56pm

do you leave the door to the pen open so they can come and go as they please?

Me,hubby of 21 yrs. homeschool mom to a wonderful, great, awesome daughter, 2 cats sassy and sammy, blue heeler rascal,aquarium, rosey buff orpington,daisey buff orpington, and petunia barred rock.
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Me,hubby of 21 yrs. homeschool mom to a wonderful, great, awesome daughter, 2 cats sassy and sammy, blue heeler rascal,aquarium, rosey buff orpington,daisey buff orpington, and petunia barred rock.
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post #9 of 26
1/7/12 at 7:05pm

Aww I'm so sorry I know how you feel. A possum got ahold of one of my chickens once and ate her head off and left the rest. It made me sick I just fell to the ground crying.  You have to watch out for those things.

♥♥♥Chickens are my life♥♥♥
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♥♥♥Chickens are my life♥♥♥
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post #10 of 26
1/7/12 at 7:11pm

RIP Cricket.  And kudos to you for being so brave and not letting him suffer further.   I agree, it was a predator and you have to be on the lookout for it to return.  Once they find a food source, they keep coming back.  Poor little Silkies don't roost, so they are so vulnerable, that and poor eyesight from the top knots.  One thing I have and I do think it works, is the Night Owl Eye red-thingy. It is a blinking light that I mounted on a post near the pop door and it is solar powered, auto on and off at dusk.  I am thinking to put one right above the coop pop doors, they are like $25 to $30 at the feed store.  Maybe something that easy would help you out.  hugs  HenZ

Before living by the "early bird" policy, first determine whether you're more like a bird or a worm.
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Before living by the "early bird" policy, first determine whether you're more like a bird or a worm.
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