Bantam roosters

[Wickedchicken6]

Thank you. We started with 15. Now we are down to 10. Maybe we were not meant to raise chickens.

Sometimes this happens to the best of us. There are many good posts on here about securing your coop and run and about predators. As you learn, you're able to fortify your birds to keep them from harm and safe from predators. Below are some links to those forums.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/predators-and-pests.13/

 

[bobbi-j]

Thank you. We started with 15. Now we are down to 10. Maybe we were not meant to raise chickens.

Chicken keeping is not for the faint of heart, that's for sure. There is a steep learning curve, and unfortunately, it's our chickens that usually pay for our mistakes.

As discouraging as it can be, it can also be a very rewarding, fun hobby. I love that I know where my eggs are coming from, and where the chicken I eat comes from. I would say don't give up, but call each loss a learning experience. Did a predator get into a coop or pen? Find where it got in and fix it. Something get your birds while free ranging? Either stop free ranging, give them more cover, sit out with them while they're out... whatever plan works best for you. The reality of chicken raising is, chickens are going to die. They will get eaten by a predator, develop reproductive issues, get sick, or "die for no reason" (there is always a reason - it's just not always obvious). I started out this summer with about 30 chickens, plus several broodies. I now have no chickens. By the end of summer, I was down to 5, 3 more were killed, one died with no sign of injury or illness, and we butchered the last one. I will be tightening up my coops and runs when it's above zero, and start over in the spring. Hang in there, and don't give up yet.

 

[Susannah4040]

Agree, with Wickedchicken6 and bobbi-j. Having animal companions in our lives can be heartbreaking at times...please don't feel discouraged, we have all had to face 'horrid/distressing' times - it is part and parcel of animal husbandry...if, you need any help whatsoever with your chickens - there are so many helpful folk on here, whom have a myriad of ways with helping you through any process, of dealing with your chickens...so, hoping you and your chickens will be happy in the future.