A very bad day

[silverback]

Today my chicken shed caught fire and wiped out half my flock. It went up like a tinder box and was horrifying. I thought they were all dead for sure but then found one alive under the porch, then two more, then another later in the day. Somehow the meanest rooster and a few others survived. I’m monitoring them inside my place in a pen. It’s absolutely gut wrenching. I don’t have a shelter for them so they will be inside until I can figure something out. Please say a prayer for me and the flock. My heart hurts

I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. I lost a number of chickens a few years ago and I know how devastating it is. Take time to recover and dote on the survivors.

 

[silverback]

I am so sorry to hear this terrible news. I lost a number of chickens a few years ago and I know how devastating it is. Take time to recover and dote on the survivors.

 

[Chickety chick]

Today my chicken shed caught fire and wiped out half my flock. It went up like a tinder box and was horrifying. I thought they were all dead for sure but then found one alive under the porch, then two more, then another later in the day. Somehow the meanest rooster and a few others survived. I’m monitoring them inside my place in a pen. It’s absolutely gut wrenching. I don’t have a shelter for them so they will be inside until I can figure something out. Please say a prayer for me and the flock. My heart hurts

I’m so sorry this happened to you and your flock!! Thank you Lord that you are the God of all comfort and the Father of all mercies! May You Lord bless her heart with all your comfort, goodness, and grace. May she feel your tangible Presence with her. May you Lord heal her flock in every way needed and comfort them as well! blessed Jesus, Amen

 

[Nanook33]

Today my chicken shed caught fire and wiped out half my flock. It went up like a tinder box and was horrifying. I thought they were all dead for sure but then found one alive under the porch, then two more, then another later in the day. Somehow the meanest rooster and a few others survived. I’m monitoring them inside my place in a pen. It’s absolutely gut wrenching. I don’t have a shelter for them so they will be inside until I can figure something out. Please say a prayer for me and the flock. My heart hurts

Sending prayers your way. This happened to my father many years ago-the fire wiped out his entire flock & coop. (he had an egg business) I know how horrible it is for you. But, go forward-better days are coming for you & your flock. All of us "Back Yard Chickeners" are with you.

 

[Vtonero]

It is absolutely devastating.. I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad that you found a few that were ok. I can't imagine how you are feeling
You are definitely in my prayers. Again feeling so sad for you

 

[RaintreeHen]

Today my chicken shed caught fire and wiped out half my flock. It went up like a tinder box and was horrifying. I thought they were all dead for sure but then found one alive under the porch, then two more, then another later in the day. Somehow the meanest rooster and a few others survived. I’m monitoring them inside my place in a pen. It’s absolutely gut wrenching. I don’t have a shelter for them so they will be inside until I can figure something out. Please say a prayer for me and the flock. My heart hurts

Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry! I too would be heartbroken. Do you know what caused the fire (as a warning to others)?

 

[Eggscoozme]

It was very likely the heat lamps and the wind here was absolutely wild. Please don’t tell me about heat lamps though, I learned my lesson and the guilt is overwhelming. The four survivors are inside my place in a pen, a neighbor is rehoming them to a wonderful home today. I’m still having nebulizer treatments and oxygen. I still have my silkie coup and switched over to a coup safe heat panel. Thank you for the support it’s healing to know others understand the loss.

Why are people using a heat source of ANY kind?
I'm in Michigan, and didn't know what I was doing when I started to raise chickens.
I had 2 chickens from a local farm auction. Their coop was a 5*5*4 dog run. A tarp was placed over it, and bales of straw placed outside all around it. They had a wooden one-shelf cubby to roost IN (LOL). I felt sorry for them come Winter as the weather was quite . I didn't know anything about heated water dishes, but brought the chickens fresh water in a cereal bowl several times a day. I also put a battery operated lantern in there to help brighten their coop. The batteries didn't survive by morning d/t the cold. Pathetic set-up.
After working a 16 hr shift on the coldest night of the year at -75 with wind-chill, I thought for sure they're dead. I peeled back the tarp, fighting the wind and frigid temps only to discover what one would never expect.
Amelia laid her first egg.

I never use heat, have Much NICER set-ups, and have a small handful warm-weather chickens (Ayam Ketawa, Showgirl silkie (12 yrs old), and an Indio Gigante) not to mention 13 other cold hardy breeds). I use deep litter method, and have plenty of STRAW. Never lost an adult chicken to the cold. Not one

 

[Mrs Fryzzle]

I am

Today my chicken shed caught fire and wiped out half my flock. It went up like a tinder box and was horrifying. I thought they were all dead for sure but then found one alive under the porch, then two more, then another later in the day. Somehow the meanest rooster and a few others survived. I’m monitoring them inside my place in a pen. It’s absolutely gut wrenching. I don’t have a shelter for them so they will be inside until I can figure something out. Please say a prayer for me and the flock. My heart hurts

so sorry for you and your recent experience... it is a scenario I play in my head often-thinking 'what if' or 'just in case' leave images I dont want to see, and can only imagine that you did see. I am sorry for your loss, ...but, thrilled for your finds!

 

[z3lda3]

It was very likely the heat lamps and the wind here was absolutely wild. Please don’t tell me about heat lamps though, I learned my lesson and the guilt is overwhelming. The four survivors are inside my place in a pen, a neighbor is rehoming them to a wonderful home today. I’m still having nebulizer treatments and oxygen. I still have my silkie coup and switched over to a coup safe heat panel. Thank you for the support it’s healing to know others understand the loss.

It’s a horrible situation. Most of us understand the dilemma, you worry the chickens will get too cold, especially if you have older birds, and then we worry about using heat lamps. We’ve all been there. It’s not your fault! It was a horrible accident. If you didn’t use the heat lamps and some were to die, you’d be beating yourself up for NOT using heat lamps. You did the BEST you could, nobody can fault you for that, especially yourself.

 

[z3lda3]

Why are people using a heat source of ANY kind?
I'm in Michigan, and didn't know what I was doing when I started to raise chickens.
I had 2 chickens from a local farm auction. Their coop was a 5*5*4 dog run. A tarp was placed over it, and bales of straw placed outside all around it. They had a wooden one-shelf cubby to roost IN (LOL). I felt sorry for them come Winter as the weather was quite . I didn't know anything about heated water dishes, but brought the chickens fresh water in a cereal bowl several times a day. I also put a battery operated lantern in there to help brighten their coop. The batteries didn't survive by morning d/t the cold. Pathetic set-up.
After working a 16 hr shift on the coldest night of the year at -75 with wind-chill, I thought for sure they're dead. I peeled back the tarp, fighting the wind and frigid temps only to discover what one would never expect.
Amelia laid her first egg.

I never use heat, have Much NICER set-ups, and have a small handful warm-weather chickens (Ayam Ketawa, Showgirl silkie (12 yrs old), and an Indio Gigante) not to mention 13 other cold hardy breeds). I use deep litter method, and have plenty of STRAW. Never lost an adult chicken to the cold. Not one

Well pin a rose on your nose! @VeeKay is looking for compassion not this “look how much better I am than you are” attitude.