how to cope w/ chick mortality?

[chaoticandrew]

hello! some of yall might recognize me from the quail forums, but i just got some buff orpington chicks this year. they were mail ordered and so far two of them have suddenly died. one died while i was out on a short walk (sudden!) and the other was weak, i tried everything to revive her (syringe nutri drench, constant attention) but she soon died. probably either wry neck or just weak chick stuff. anyway i am heartbroken and feeling very very stupid (and maybe feeling residual grief from the loss of my quail flock last year) but do any of yall know how to emotionally deal with this? i can find plenty of advice on how to physically care for chicks but how do you cope with the loss? i knew this would happen but i am still crying over it. i hate burying chicks.

 

[LaFleche]

hello! some of yall might recognize me from the quail forums, but i just got some buff orpington chicks this year. they were mail ordered and so far two of them have suddenly died. one died while i was out on a short walk (sudden!) and the other was weak, i tried everything to revive her (syringe nutri drench, constant attention) but she soon died. probably either wry neck or just weak chick stuff. anyway i am heartbroken and feeling very very stupid (and maybe feeling residual grief from the loss of my quail flock last year) but do any of yall know how to emotionally deal with this? i can find plenty of advice on how to physically care for chicks but how do you cope with the loss? i knew this would happen but i am still crying over it. i hate burying chicks.

We know from the start that it can and will happen, but that does not prevent the hurt we feel when it actually happens.
I am sorry for your losses and I hope that you may find comfort in the thought, that at least they were cared for and loved.

Sometimes there is just nothing one can do to prevent this.

 

[chaoticandrew]

We know from the start that it can and will happen, but that does not prevent the hurt we feel when it actually happens.
I am sorry for your losses and I hope that you may find comfort in the thought, that at least they were cared for and loved.

Sometimes there is just nothing one can do to prevent this.

thank you. it's nice to know i'm not the only one and yeah, i guess they were cared for and loved, however short that time was...

 

[LaFleche]

i guess they were cared for and loved, however short that time was...

Yes!

And don't forget to enjoy the others, as this will help you to overcome the loss.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

The more it happens, the better you usually deal with it. I try not to pick my keepers until they're old and out of the danger zone (6 monthish). Easy when it's a broody mama, but when they're your babies, it's still hard to not get attached

 

[CSolis]

I had a young blue copper marans who I found laying cold in the pen and covered with ants. I brought her in, warmed her up in my lap with my body heat. She revived and I was thrilled.. then two weeks later I heard a rumble back in the brooder room and went to check. She was DOA. I had to accept the fact that she wasn't meant to be and had a weak heart.
Then in the first batch of chicks I hatched with my incubator, the little ones were doing great in the 4th week. I went in to check food and water and found one dead. Another heartbreak.. (That was the first time I used bedding pellets in the brooder and it must have gotten a crop full, at least it's the only thing I can come up with). Then out go the chicks at 6 weeks, and not knowing to stay away from the sides of the pen, a possum killed one. Three weeks later and another possum strike. None of those deaths were easy to take, but I began to consider what would have happened in the wild, and survival rate is still much better with my chicks than babes in the wild. Everything has its time and purpose, then it is gone.

 

[Chookchicken]

I lost my beloved chick April 2 weeks ago. She had a bad leg and as much is I knew it was coming it doesn’t make it any easier. I tend to just spend a few days grieving and relaxing whilst I come acceptance. It’s never gets easier no matter what you do. I am very sorry this happened, and I’m wishing all your other chicks the best of luck, and health. RIP little ones

 

[rosemarythyme]

Unfortunate reality is not all of them make it - sometimes due to human error, other times they have health issues where it's inevitable. I always tell myself each time I get chicks to expect some losses, so if it doesn't happen, then it's a pleasant surprise.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Also why even with males, I always order at least 1 more than I want

 

[MissE]

I grew up on a farm. Life and death is just a part of farm life. Sometimes its unexpected. Other times its butchering day. I enjoy my chickens, but I'm not emotionally attached to them. They have a job to do. When they are no longer doing it, they will be culled one way or another. Until that day comes, I do my best to make sure they have a healthy, safe life.