Grief over losing Your Livestock🥺

[ejoyhowell]

I just recently joined only because I just posted how much I loved raising my new set of chickens and ducks last year. But something awful happen this past weekend. Every morning I would let my chickens and ducks out and let them free range and then I night I would call them and they would go in there henhouse to be safe from wild animals. I homeschool my son - we where very lucky that my husband could work while I stayed home. But this past Friday - I left my chickens and ducks out to go get lunch with my son and we were only gone less than an hour. When I got home a stray dog had killed 11 of my chickens ( plus the one I was so attached to) and my two ducks. My poor grown babies where everywhere in my yard. I haven’t been so upset since my father passed away. But I having a really hard time dealing with my loss. Luckily I just had 14 baby chicks hatched from them and 1 duck; from my set of ducks. But I would sit on the front porch and just watch them and now their gone. If anyone can give me some advice on how they dealt with the loss. I can barely go to the pen - I have 6 left that survived; and then my new babies.

 

[CluckNDoodle]

Oh my goodness, I'm so so sorry to hear about your difficult loss. You're so fortunate to have been able to hatch a new generation from your beloved pets. It's a difficult part of keeping poultry. Many of us that have kept them for a while have likely experienced some sort of a loss or close call from predators, as hard as we try to avoid it. I find that my chicks and chickens are the best medicine for relieving a heavy heart. Spending time with the 6 that remain in your flock and the sweet little peeps, I think is exactly what the dr ordered.

 

[twendt]

So sorry for your loss, , it wasn't your fault, your survivors need you! How did you learn it was a stray dog? What if your child was outside and that stray was aggressive with your son? Thank goodness that wasn't the case! It still sucks, though.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Bear hugs!

 

[Loosly]

I just recently joined only because I just posted how much I loved raising my new set of chickens and ducks last year. But something awful happen this past weekend. Every morning I would let my chickens and ducks out and let them free range and then I night I would call them and they would go in there henhouse to be safe from wild animals. I homeschool my son - we where very lucky that my husband could work while I stayed home. But this past Friday - I left my chickens and ducks out to go get lunch with my son and we were only gone less than an hour. When I got home a stray dog had killed 11 of my chickens ( plus the one I was so attached to) and my two ducks. My poor grown babies where everywhere in my yard. I haven’t been so upset since my father passed away. But I having a really hard time dealing with my loss. Luckily I just had 14 baby chicks hatched from them and 1 duck; from my set of ducks. But I would sit on the front porch and just watch them and now their gone. If anyone can give me some advice on how they dealt with the loss. I can barely go to the pen - I have 6 left that survived; and then my new babies.

I am so sorry to hear this. Big hugs.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sadly, too many of us know how how you feel because we've been there. I hope you can find comfort in your survivors.

 

[sourland]

This has happened to or will likely happen to every one of us who free ranges our birds, and as you have learned it can happen in a very short period of time. Secure pens, hot wire protection, and monitored free ranging are some possible preventative methods. Realize that you are not alone.

 

[twendt]

Truly, I only enclose my 7 hens because, of course, I am in violation of my STUPID city, I give them the best life I can give. They are in my fenced in garden, that was intended to KEEP DEER OUT! I always ENVIED MARTHA because she had chickens... one day I was at my local Farm and Fleet, they had baby chicks... I thought "Why the Hell NOT???" I brought home 3 RIR , my neighbors were THRILLED!!!

 

[twendt]

Of course I got a couple more.... Chicken MATH

 

[Kim95037]

Man I cant imagine losing so many chickens at once. I cry like a baby when I lose one! Last couple years have been horrible for me. Lost one to a bobcat, one to old age and three from unknown illnesses. I have a chicken cemetary in my yard. They each have a great big flower pot.
I dont have any family so my pets are it for me. I totally get it. I hardly ever let my chickens out when I'm gone and one of the few times I did a bobcat got in my yard. Now they only free range when I am home. They have a nice big run but I would still rather let them have free run of the yard. I just cant do it now. I would just die if it happened again. I hope you are doing better and just know that there are a ton of us on here who know EXACTLY how you feel