- Jun 3, 2014
- 85
- 2
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Hi all, not sure if this is the place for such a topic.
I bought two chicks to go with the two hens I already have, as I felt a flock of two was too small.
Bought them when they were just 1 and weeks, had them inside until it was warm and then would bring them outside during the day. But they were getting too big for their cage in the basement, so I was trying to think of other options. I didn't have the tools or skills to build something to isolate them from my bully hens until they were big enough. Only had one sleeping place and one run for the other chickens, so the chicks could use the run but not the coop.
I posted on my email group about containment for chicks but didn't get much response, I then said that I was going to buy a dog crate for them.
Then someone told me a racoon could very easily reach through and grab one. I still bought one, thinking the holes were too small and anyway the crate was big they would just run in the back and be safe.
It seemed to be working out well, they would just sleep in the crate. Then yesterday morning, after a few days of them being in the crate, my mom woke me up and told me they were killed, probably by a racoon.
They were so mangled...both by the front of the cage, one had lost its head, lots of feathers gone, but barely anything actually eaten.
But both very dead. Very dead because of my laziness, cheapness, and stupidity.
I'm so heartbroken. We had just named them... they were so little, only a bit over a month old.
I can't stop thinking about how they must have been so scared and were probably peeping like mad, but nobody heard them and nobody came to help them...
I know we should probably get more to expand the flock but I don't even want to anymore. I don't even want to raise chickens anymore. We've had 3 hens die in the past, 2 were from sickness or eggboundness we were never sure. One was very adventurous and got run over. I probably should have clipped her feathers but I can't remember if we knew how she was getting out.
I feel like I must just be an irresponsible pet owner. I shouldn't even own pets.
I just am so upset...sobbing as I write this.
I bought two chicks to go with the two hens I already have, as I felt a flock of two was too small.
Bought them when they were just 1 and weeks, had them inside until it was warm and then would bring them outside during the day. But they were getting too big for their cage in the basement, so I was trying to think of other options. I didn't have the tools or skills to build something to isolate them from my bully hens until they were big enough. Only had one sleeping place and one run for the other chickens, so the chicks could use the run but not the coop.
I posted on my email group about containment for chicks but didn't get much response, I then said that I was going to buy a dog crate for them.
Then someone told me a racoon could very easily reach through and grab one. I still bought one, thinking the holes were too small and anyway the crate was big they would just run in the back and be safe.
It seemed to be working out well, they would just sleep in the crate. Then yesterday morning, after a few days of them being in the crate, my mom woke me up and told me they were killed, probably by a racoon.
They were so mangled...both by the front of the cage, one had lost its head, lots of feathers gone, but barely anything actually eaten.
But both very dead. Very dead because of my laziness, cheapness, and stupidity.
I'm so heartbroken. We had just named them... they were so little, only a bit over a month old.
I can't stop thinking about how they must have been so scared and were probably peeping like mad, but nobody heard them and nobody came to help them...
I know we should probably get more to expand the flock but I don't even want to anymore. I don't even want to raise chickens anymore. We've had 3 hens die in the past, 2 were from sickness or eggboundness we were never sure. One was very adventurous and got run over. I probably should have clipped her feathers but I can't remember if we knew how she was getting out.
I feel like I must just be an irresponsible pet owner. I shouldn't even own pets.
I just am so upset...sobbing as I write this.
