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

Albcnya

In the Brooder
Sep 26, 2017
1
6
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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.
 
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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