First Loss today

[kyle7630]

My Wife and I along with our son had just come back from a short 4 wheeler ride and as soon as we pulled up, my wife screamed "he's got Big Mama". At that point, Big Mama(our beautiful BO) was still struggling. I jumped off the wheeler and chased the hawk away. It was too late. She was our favorite, and she was the biggest of them all. This is our first time getting chickens and guineas and they were still young. I expected to lose birds since I am free ranging 10-13 hours a day, I just didn't expect to be so PO'd about it. I guess I'll chalk up in the SH category. We will get another BO or two and leave it at that.

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'm sorry you lost Big Mamma.

 

[Chirpy]

I'm sorry you lost Big Momma also. It's really hard to lose any chicken but sometimes there's one (or two, or three

) that are just extra special and it makes it even harder.

 

[Linda in San Diego]

Quote:
I agree. So sorry for your loss. I think you will need to get at least 3 more BO's just to make up for Big Mama.

 

[1Speckled Hen w/Chicks]

So sorry to hear about Big Mama--

It is never easy to lose one of your chickens or any pets--but when its one of your favories its really hard to take --especially when you see something so terrible happen!

Hope you can find another special one to fill the void sometime soon!

 

[kyle7630]

Quote:
I agree. So sorry for your loss. I think you will need to get at least 3 more BO's just to make up for Big Mama.

I think I will get 3. Two to fill the void in our hearts, and another to fill the void in the crock pot. I'm trying to really look at it from the standpoint that she would have eventually met a similar fate at my hands but it would have been down the road a bit and she would have been around a while. I know it sounds kinda harsh but that's reality I guess. Thanks everyone for the kind words.

 

[Zookeeper9000]

I too am sorry you lost your BO. But I will say something harsh as well. It will be very hard for that hawk to take another free ranger, they will of learned from it and will respond better the next time he/she shows up.

As far as oprs go get a dozen of each color LOL I can't wait for Jody's Lavendars

 

[Jenski]

Sorry to hear about your loss. How many birds do you have? Do you have a roo running with them? That might help.

 

[kyle7630]

Quote:
Well, I have 16 guineas and now 4 chickens. The chickens are still young and I wanted to wait and see if one of them was a rooster before I went and bought one. The BO and the RIR were sexed when I got them, the other three weren't. I guess I will go get a roo and a few more BO's. I saw a nice looking BR roo on CL for 5 bucks.

I have noticed this morning that the rest of the birds are staying close to cover and keep checking the sky out. I guess they learn fast too

 

[Jenski]

Free rangers will learn pretty fast. A roo will be a good "eye on the sky" too ~ and a good roo will fight to the death to keep a pred at bay.