I messed up and now all but 1 baby is dead!! **UPDATE!!! PICS heavy***

[Jencleg]

Ok. I am sorry. I thought that my subject line would have explained that I take 100% of the blame for them getting killed, I am racked with guilt so thanks for pointing it out to me once again.... I know the HOW. The WHY. I just wondered about the WHAT. The "doll house" was placed INSIDE of this:

They liked it and slept in it when they were chicks and I just thought that the first night in their big house it might make them feel more at home. The pop door was the way they got in and now since I only have 1 instead of 6 looking at me to keep them safe I can have learned an can make sure that it does NOT happen again...

 

[al6517]

It's just that I see so many post of people looking for a shoulder to cry on for losses that should have been avoided, as opposed to trying to find a solution first. This is first and foremost BYC is a learning site and learning can sometimes be rough, I feel sugar coating the real issues aren't helping. I have lost birds before to preditors and the first thing that happened to me was I got angry and mad, then I sucked it up and made improvements to my coops and runs. Now I haven't lost any birds in 3 years, it's not rocket science, you don't just buy birds and then wing the whole set-up thing like so many people do, it must be thought through and protection should come before comfort, if they are safe and have food and water they will be happy and productive.

 

[al6517]

Quote:
Ok good I am glad you found your solution and have a plan to remedy it from happening again.

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

How did you determine the necks were indeed broken? Looks like a solid coop as far as predators.

 

[Jencleg]

Quote:
Thank you Sharon. I do know what the problem was...just as a first time chick mom, I messed up. I dont think they got too hot/cold, they were fine when we moved them and they only went about 30 feet away from the place in the yard they have been for the last 2 weeks. I failed to secure the pop door properly. My husband actually found them this morning and disposed of them but I asked if the heads were gone & he said no and I went to collect the feed/water dish and I didnt see any feathers anywhere. I live in N. Georgia and the weather has been in the upper 80's in the day & the 60's at night.

Thank you again for your imput & your compassion~

 

[Two Creeks Farm]

Could be the work of a cat...

 

[flnatv]

Quote:
Thank you Sharon. I do know what the problem was...just as a first time chick mom, I messed up. I dont think they got too hot/cold, they were fine when we moved them and they only went about 30 feet away from the place in the yard they have been for the last 2 weeks. I failed to secure the pop door properly. My husband actually found them this morning and disposed of them but I asked if the heads were gone & he said no and I went to collect the feed/water dish and I didnt see any feathers anywhere. I live in N. Georgia and the wether has been in the upper 80's in the day & the 60's at night.

Thank you again for your imput & your compassion~

Wish you were closer as I could donate a silkie to be company

 

[chics in the sun]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Seeing your set-up, which looks pretty solid, and that there are no feathers and no rips/tears, ect., leads me to think it may have been a human predator. Otherwise it makes no sense, not even for a cat or dog. A neighbor's chickens were found the same way last year.

 

[Darklingstorm]

I agree with the cat theory. I have a cat that catches wild birds and he often just kills them for the sport and not food (since we feed him very well). The birds look like they have broken necks. I actually saw him catch and kill one just the other day. When it stopped moving, he dropped it and started looking for more "entertainment".
Thankfully he has learned that chickens are off limits. But I still wouldn't trust him with chicks.

 

[Jencleg]

Thanks guys. The main reason for my post, was not for me to cry on your shoulders, but it was out of concern for the lone chick. I just hated seeing her so sad this morning. I will call around and see if I can find her a friend or 2.

I really do appreciate the support...It means so much to me...I knew that yall would understand!

Yall have a blessed day!