Hi BYC world,
Writing in a bit of a melancholy mood today. Less than a week ago we lost one of our ducks to the neighbor's dogs, and yesterday I went out to discover a hawk had gotten one of our small birds and her chick is missing (that was last night so I am assuming she is dead...).
Over the last two years of having chickens and ducks we have had a total of 6 losses to predators (including this week's losses) - mostly to raccoons. We had been on a really good streak and hadn't lost anybody to predators for at least half a year. I feel terrible that these critters I am taking care of are dying. I love them a lot and am just feeling very disheartened about the whole thing. We are expanding their run - they are usually free range but since it's garden season they will have to stay in the run until the plants are grown. And they have a comfortable coop that is predator proof. The attacks have always happened at random during the day when we weren't expecting it. Has anyone else out there felt like throwing in the towel? It's so sad to have my heart broken again and again and at the same time they bring me so much happiness. Is this normal for the first few years of chicken husbandry?
Thanks for your thoughts. I am needing some support and thus turn to the faithful online chicken community.
R.I.P. Rain, Pawel, Luna, Duck Face, Violet, and Chick'n Little - lost to predators.
Writing in a bit of a melancholy mood today. Less than a week ago we lost one of our ducks to the neighbor's dogs, and yesterday I went out to discover a hawk had gotten one of our small birds and her chick is missing (that was last night so I am assuming she is dead...).

Thanks for your thoughts. I am needing some support and thus turn to the faithful online chicken community.
R.I.P. Rain, Pawel, Luna, Duck Face, Violet, and Chick'n Little - lost to predators.