I accidentally killed a chicken :''''(

[BigBlueHen53]

Since ive had this kind of accident 20 days ago, when im walking around chickens, i drag my feet close to the ground instead of walking normaly. With small chicks i always put them in a cage at a higher level, until they are older.

Sounds like good ideas. The little rascals can move so quickly, they do tend to get underfoot faster than you can say "oh crap!"

 

[HelloHaley]

Reading these make me feel better - our coop door accidentally shut while an Americana was laying. That day of all days the run was blocked off to get a new flock of pullets adjusted to coop life instead of living in our shop. They would hangout in the run during the day and the coop door would be open for my layers to come and go. The wind must been strong that day and flung the door shut with my Olive Egger in there. as soon as I looked out to see it closed I went to open it back up only to find her laying there dead. She was a very skiddish chicken and I think the combination of heat, stress, and no water got her. Breaks my heart and I can’t help but feel guilty for not checking on them sooner. of all the days, it had to be a day where the run was blocked off

Absolutely devastated this happens. As others posters said, things like this happen so we can learn. The door is always securely latched open now when they are running around & the run is no longer blocked off as my pullets are acclimated. Writing this and reading others post is helping me cope - truly freaking breaks my heart that happened to her

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Each time you feel the pain of guilt creating into your heart get up and do something kind to or for those still in your care. Soak them some grains to make sprouts, cut them up some extra veggies, toss them out something from the kitchen scraps, anything kind and fun. Give one of them a cuddle, or do an extra clean job on the coop.

Take the pain and make it into something positive.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

With small chicks i always put them in a cage at a higher level, until they are older.

Yes, I have a spot for babies that is above everyone else, it makes them eye level to me, so easier to see anything happening, easier to clean, they feel less vulnerable being high above feet, so they do less of that darting around which makes them hard to predict when walking and they are easier to contain. It isn't perfect of course, in each batch there is at least one that manages to fall or jump out when I am cleaning or feeding them but so far that has not resulted in injury to them, just to me when I kick myself for not catching them in time.

We do our best and when that isn't enough, we come here when we need help or to speak to someone else who will tell us they know our pain, they know we didn't mean to be human and make a mistake. That is all we can do... Tell you we hug away your pain, we know you meant no harm, and we share your tears. We have each of us shed them.

Thank you for sharing your accident with us, you may very well have saved someone else making that same or similar mistake... So you likely save a life with your post.

 

[Chipmunk Chicks]

So sorry to hear this, dont blame yourself. These things happen, if it wasnt this accident maybe a hawk or weasle. It happens we cant beat ourselves up over it, just know to make sure it doesn't happen again.

I had similar happen. We had a chick with scissor beak. I was talking to my neighbor as i out one of the gallon waterers in the brooder. I setbit down without looking below i was facing the neighbor. I heard no sound or anything. That evening I went to do a chexk and realized one was missing. I had placed the waterer on top of scissorbeak. I cried too. My hubby told me not to feel too bad because it happens, i should feel guilty only if it was purposeful and intentional which it was not. I learned a lesson about being distracted while caring for chickens as im sure did you. One that will never be forgotten. Please dont blame yourself too much, you will feel better soon.

I did the same thing, in the brooder with a small waterer tho. I really thought the chickie was gone, that the dog must have taken her. Luckily, when I went back to check before going up to bed, I found her just smooshed into the pine shavings, and it wasn't too heavy that she could still breathe. I was even trying to go slowly! And you think an animal is going to be smart enough to move out of the way when she see something coming down into their vicinity, but... :/ I learned that day that they actually are not at all that smart, sadly. I'm sorry your chicken went out like that, and that your accident didn't have such a happy ending. (((Hugs))) you have a good heart.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Reading these make me feel better - our coop door accidentally shut while an Americana was laying. That day of all days the run was blocked off to get a new flock of pullets adjusted to coop life instead of living in our shop. They would hangout in the run during the day and the coop door would be open for my layers to come and go. The wind must been strong that day and flung the door shut with my Olive Egger in there. as soon as I looked out to see it closed I went to open it back up only to find her laying there dead. She was a very skiddish chicken and I think the combination of heat, stress, and no water got her. Breaks my heart and I can’t help but feel guilty for not checking on them sooner. of all the days, it had to be a day where the run was blocked off

Absolutely devastated this happens. As others posters said, things like this happen so we can learn. The door is always securely latched open now when they are running around & the run is no longer blocked off as my pullets are acclimated. Writing this and reading others post is helping me cope - truly freaking breaks my heart that happened to her