Yeah, it is a risk for sure. My chickens (they are actually all Welsummers) free range ALL day, and I haven’t lost any so far. I really am hoping I won’t, but we do have predators and thick woods here. Definitely the worst part of chicken raising. Once again I am really sorry about your Welsummer.
She was beautiful.We are off the Mulberry river.So we are surrounded by woods and river.We did great for 2 years but this summer we have been very very unlicky.They free ranged before from 8 am till 745 pm.Now they are trapped it can't be happy for them.
Her eggs & my true whiting green eggs were my favorite.My true whiting green just collapsed recently.She appeared perfect color she was eating, drinking and I found her just dead.No marks no injuries.WE FOUND a wasp nest in the coop,I'm wondering if she were stung a bit could that kill them?we cleaned out the coop and made sure the wasp were gone for good!we pray.Now just waiting to determine the sex of my 6 babies.