I'm a first timer...Help, I killed the baby's?

Albcnya

In the Brooder
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We'll, we have free roaming chickens on our ranch. 3 hens: Thelma, Luisa, Raven (she's old One) and Guapo, a young Rooster. Yes, I've become quite attached to all of them. It was Thelma's first time w/baby's, the first of the 3 hens too. Thelma is quite domesticated and extremely smart. We've been building a large coop for all four of them: it's a work in progress. I fixed up an old temp/coop for Thelma and the chicks (when it was time).
Thelma's eggs hatched, I couldn't get to her baby's fast enough and a red tail hawk got one! I made it in time to grab the two chicks+Thelma, put them safely in temp/coop. The old coop is two story. A few day's ago,went to feed them usual routine, one of the chicks fell out? I didn't see the little guy till it was too late. Tried to nurse him back to health and he died. Now, again I go to feed Thelma one chick left. I noticed the baby looked hurt/pecked? I opened the door to feed them, I kept my eye on the little guy.
Thelma jumped out of the cage? I ran to get her, left the door wide open. Came back to find the little guy below the cage, he was dead. I just buried the little guy, tears running down my face like a geyser. I remembered this site so here I am: confessing my sins. I'm so ashamed of myself. Feel like crap big time.
OMG! How could I be so dumb? I just killed the last one? Feel like the neglecting mom, leading her kids to a death. I feel so awful! Any advice? I don't think I want to raise any more chickens, (even after the new coop is finished) :(,.
Sincerely, the little chicken killer...






 
:welcome:highfive::frow
You should try keeping mother hens and their chicks separate from the main flock. I like to keep broodies and their chicks in large dog crates in my barn or coop. I will let the momma hen and her chicks out once a day and supervise them as they free range to make sure other hens or predators do not bother them. I do this until the chicks are big enough to not be eaten by the other chickens, usually 3 or 4 weeks, then I let the mom and chicks have free roam of the coop and run. I do not ever let any birds free range if I am not out their watching them.
 
Don't beat yourself up too much. maybe just a little bit. It is rough to start, just work through it and pick yourself up, try again and you have learned from it. We all do stuff and regret it, but the biggest thing is to learn from our mistakes and do better next time. You will do better! :)
 
Welcome to BYC Broody with chicks.jpeg

Welcome to Backyard chickens!

I hope things go better next time you have a broody
 
Howdy :frow Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Wish it was under better circumstances but accidents happen, the thing is to learn from those mistakes so they don't happen again.
I certainly helped with the demise of many of my birds when I first started raising birds.
Sorry to hear about your losses.

Thanks for joining us!
 

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