- Nov 18, 2014
- 7
- 0
- 9
Hello, I am new to this forum as well as fairly new to chickens. In the spring we purchased 4 full grown birds (all from the same farm). Shortly after added a young rooster, and then 2 more chickens. Other than normal pecking at the beginning to establish a pecking order, they have gotten along wonderfully, not a single feather missing from anybody ever. They have a small hutch they go in at night, as well as a fenced in run (about 15 feet?) And every weekend and evening they free range. They would all the time, except i run a daycare out of my home the rooster isnt safe around kids....he can be a bit of a jerk 
anyway, About 4 days ago it snowed for the first time of the season (I live in ontario) and since then we have had one near fatality (2 days ago)and just tonight I found one dead, pecked right to death. I read on here bordom is often the case, do you think this applies to us? Maybe because they cant scratch and peck at the ground anymore? both times it has happened when the door to the run was shut. I plan on letting them free range all day every day now, and just catch the rooster when we want to play outside. Could it be their stress level from the cold? It went from balmy fall to freezing winter in a week flat. What can I do??? I love my chickens, i am beside myself over this loss. I have nursed my injured girl in the comfort of my kitchen, fed and watered her back to health right out of my hands. I only wish I got to the other one sooner. I was out giving them food and water at 1pm, she hadnt a mark on her, and when I went out again at 6pm she was dead.
anyway, About 4 days ago it snowed for the first time of the season (I live in ontario) and since then we have had one near fatality (2 days ago)and just tonight I found one dead, pecked right to death. I read on here bordom is often the case, do you think this applies to us? Maybe because they cant scratch and peck at the ground anymore? both times it has happened when the door to the run was shut. I plan on letting them free range all day every day now, and just catch the rooster when we want to play outside. Could it be their stress level from the cold? It went from balmy fall to freezing winter in a week flat. What can I do??? I love my chickens, i am beside myself over this loss. I have nursed my injured girl in the comfort of my kitchen, fed and watered her back to health right out of my hands. I only wish I got to the other one sooner. I was out giving them food and water at 1pm, she hadnt a mark on her, and when I went out again at 6pm she was dead.
