Julene
Chirping
Hello and welcome from a fellow BYC newbie! Chickens can be difficult but I love them, too. Of the original 20 chicks I got in my first order two years ago only 12 remain. I lost two of the chicks within a couple days. I lost two more several months later to what I'm pretty sure was Merek's disease (even though they were supposed to have been vaxed). The hen in my profile pick was my favorite and she was one of the hens that I lost to Mereks. I found one sprawled out and dead in the run one day and still have no idea what could have happened to her. I lost one to a predator back when they were free ranging (they are now in a much safer fenced area). One I found on the floor of the coop seemingly asleep but she was dead. I think now she may have been egg bound. And we culled our one rooster because he was abusing some of the hens. I now have 16 week old chicks that are all very healthy (I used a different supplier this time and had no losses) and I'm hoping I have much more success with them this time around. Raising chickens is hard on so many levels, but I think it's worth it. There is a lot to learn, and losses will happen, but it does get easier. Hang in there!