Heartbroken and hard lessons learned

[hinkjc]

I was so upset over this girl today and now finally able to pull my head together to come here to see how everyone is doing.

I agree with some of the posts and a lot depends on the birds and how they fit into a flock. I do have a very good and closely monitored introduction process that has not failed me, but this really threw me for a loop when this little one got in there unexpectedly. It made me think of all the folks who are anxious to coop their birds together and reaffirms how I feel about introductions done too soon.

This particular adult araucana flock is very territorial. I am planning to introduce a new rooster to these hens before winter and am now dreading the thought of it. I may have to rethink how I do that as well. Perhaps moving them to a new coop so they are out of their senses for a bit. hmmm

Yes, typically having youngsters in visual sight is helpful, but these girls were right next door and they could see each other thru the wire and this still happened. I can only recommend to be sure you can be there to monitor closely when you do introductions.

Thanks for all of your kinds words.

 

[Germaine_11.20]

Just a thought. Can you put him in a pen all by himself and one at a time introduce the hens to him? That way they are in the uncertain area, not him and one at a time they most likely would not gang up.
You could do a few a day if things went well. Even if you had to cage the hens temporarily to offset their pecking order.
Or if that isn't possible, make a small pen for him and put it inside the coop with feed and water for him only and let him be in there for a few weeks. Then try to introduce him under your supervision.
I am sorry for the pullet. When you grow attached to them, it is so hard when something like that happens. It sounds like she was very lovely.
Good luck and thanks for reminding all of us. Sometimes I need to be reminded over and over before it sinks in.

 

[EweSheep]

So sorry to hear about your pullet, it sucks when it happens and happened to me a few times that adults can be brutal.

All you can do is fix the problem and hopefully it will not happen again.

Sometimes a strange coop, with a new roo and two girls to start off with might help the pecking order and get themselves established in the new pen would do wonders!

Just do what you normally do and hope for the best!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

So sorry for your little pullet. Thank you for posting. Like you said, maybe it will prevent some other accident like that from happening.

 

[froggie71]

I'm so sorry for you. I know how you feel. I had the same thing happen, but with guinea keets/adults. The adults attacked 2 keets, killing 1 and injuring the other to the point we thought it was dead. We brought this one inside, treated it's wounds, and it made a full recovery. I have had successful integrations with ducks and with chickens, but this is a first with the guineas. I know my temporary separation was too temporary and now I know what to do differently next time.

It's hard to lose one or more especially if you feel it's your fault.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

This is very sad, I can't imagine how you feel...SO sorry you had to lose a little one

I'm scared to even add adult birds to a flock and watch that nastyness take place. I could just imagine what she had to go through.

I know there are several who will see this and then not try adding young one to the big coop. I know I will link this thread to anyone asking. Thanks for sharing.

 

[speckledhen]

I just wanted to express how sorry I am that this happened. They can find all sorts of ways to get themselves hurt and it's not just the youngsters. (((hugs)))

 

[omelette'smom]

Sorry about your baby! I lost 5 1 week old chicks in one day due to a rotten chipmunk digging a hole under the fence divider. One mom killed the other mom's babies. I will never have more than one broody mom at a time ever again!

 

[maf2008]

Sometimes you HAVE TO sacrifice some chicks to save others

I hatched the prettiest batch of chickies ever! (48 strong and fluffy) but two late comers were "weak and sickly" but I moved the 48 healthy day old chicks to the brooder pen inside my big coop......

I should have put down the weak ones. They died anyway.
But I rushed to put the strong chicks in the outside pen too soon.....

The outside pen had 1/2 inch of water in it, (I sprayed my meat birds with the hose to keep them cool......) so I added pinshavings to make mud and covered up the water and everything looked ok until this morning....

Did you know day old chicks can drown in 1/4 inch of MUD? I lost about 14 total chicks and the rest I brought back into the house and put back in the brooder that they were in the first place.....

Moral.... take care of the strong ones keep them on the brooder pen and just do not worry about sick weak chicks. Nature's way is best. I was so wrong..... I lost some pretty chicks and I am really shook up.

 

[AmyJ]

I'm so sorry to hear this.

I had the same thing happen last week. I found our 7 week old pullet attacked from our older hens.She was still alive,but I had to end her suffering as there was not much I could do when I found her. I am so, so glad my 5 my year old daughter did not come out with me and see what had happened. We just told my daughter that something had gotten her Chickie Poo and that she died. She still cries a bit every day about Chickie Poo. I feel so awful about it and know how you feel hinkjc.