Heartbroken already

[brittsn]

Hi, I'm a new member, joined today.

I'm raising chickens for the first time and learning a lot on here.
I've built a coop and getting ready to put the chicken wire up.
They will be safe from my dogs and hawks.
Unfortunately I made a mistake today and lost one of my chicks. Yes, my Yorkie got it.
I thought I had it down pat. Like the movie, Chicken farm, "chickens go in, pies come out" but in my case it's chickens go in , dogs go out and dogs go in , chickens come out.
I had just put the chickens in the pen, "I had six" but I must have missed one. I let the dogs out and they got it.
I am so upset.
I certaintly learned a lesson. I can't wait to finish the pen so that they are secure and happy.

Anyway, I am happy to be a member on here. Don't be too harsh on me, I feel guilty enough.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! So sorry for your loss Don't beat yourself up too much, everybody makes mistakes starting out or getting into a rush etc. Yorkies are such cute little dogs, it is easy to underestimate them and forget they are terriers and they often have quite a bit of prey drive. You should consider going with Hardware Cloth instead of chicken wire, cw is made more for keeping chickens in, rather than keeping predators out, and it is pretty easy to rip up by a determined dog or racoon. Good luck with the coop build and hope the rest of your flock does well for you.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided join our flock. I'm sorry about the loss of your chick. It's always sad to lose one of our flock. X2 on Kelsie2290; use hardward cloth instead of chicken wire. There are too many predators that can tear through chicken wire, or squeeze through the openings in the mesh. Hardware cloth is more expensive than chicken wire, but it's cheaper than having to replace your flock. Hardware cloth has saved chicken owners a lot of tears. There is a good article at http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/07/11-tips-for-predator-proofing-chickens.html on protecting your flock from predators. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck in protecting your flock.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Oh I am so very sorry you lost one already.

As Kelsie mentioned above, don't be too hard on yourself. These things happen, especially when you are new. We all made mistakes when starting out. But I do hope your heavy heart can heal soon.

But enjoy the babies you do have and I hope they continue to bring you great joy!

Welcome to our flock!

 

[brittsn]

it seems I have a lot to learn, lol.

 

[TwoCrows]

You will learn things over time. Or should I say, your birds will have you trained up in no time at all!

If you watch them close enough and spend enough time with them, they can tell you all kinds of things to help them through life.

You will do just fine!

 

[brittsn]

I have to tell you the end of the story. lol. I have 4 Yorkies and after I beat 3 of them, (just kidding) I yelled at them and they hid. They knew they were in trouble. I couldn't find the 4th one and she is "the hunter".
I went back out side (after I wrote my thread) and heard her bark FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CHICKEN PEN.

She had dug a hole to get inside.
I thought OMG they are all dead. I hated to open the door but when I did, there she was, sitting with the chickens and they were all OK.

Chickens are now in a wire cage and dogs i the bathroom.

I guess I need all the help I can get. So glad I joined BYC.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

 

[brittsn]

Thank you I will definately look into that.

 

[brittsn]

Hello

and Welcome To BYC! So sorry for your loss

Don't beat yourself up too much, everybody makes mistakes starting out or getting into a rush etc. Yorkies are such cute little dogs, it is easy to underestimate them and forget they are terriers and they often have quite a bit of prey drive. You should consider going with Hardware Cloth instead of chicken wire, cw is made more for keeping chickens in, rather than keeping predators out, and it is pretty easy to rip up by a determined dog or racoon. Good luck with the coop build and hope the rest of your flock does well for you.

Thank you I will get some.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!