I'm the pest, and the waterer is, kind of

[junebug7334]

thanks for sharing your bad time. Now though, others-will learn. I have done my share of things as well.

One day opened the tractor door thinking the teenage pullets were ready for some more yard time. I had movable fence around the tractor as well. My two little dogs decided to have lunch. I had no idea this would happen----and it REALLY wasn't a pretty picture.

 

[BeakSanctuary]

So sorry to hear about your accident, Junebug. :| I'm sure you won't have that accident again. My birds are getting a false sense of safety from my little Pom dog because he leaves them alone for the most part. I don't know what would/will happen if a "real dog" wanders in from the neighborhood. I haven't had that happen yet. I say he leaves them alone for the most part because he does get mad at some of them if he thinks they're acting aggressive. He's been known to chase small ducks and baby-sized things so I suppose he can't be entirely trusted.

Jim, cute about your girls worrying about their chickens getting sold. Must've kind of hurt you letting them feel responsible for the frogs. I think our tendency is to try to unburden kids of what might make them feel bad, even if it's true. I always make "that" kind of mistake trying to pretty up something someone, like my son, might not have done right rather than let him feel bad. I should try to improve that - should be no real cushioning people from the truth when that's more irresponsible and damaging in the long run. Surprised one daughter wants to eat the bird - I guess she doesn't know what that means yet. And yet, I guess even that wouldn't be "bad", just not something I'd be good at dealing with because of the kind of "illusion" I have towards blocking out some of what's real in life. Like killing and eating, etc. Yet, of course I used to eat the chickens I didn't know.

Cleaning out the coop today - gotta love it.

 

[BFeathered]

Yup, Jim's a smart cookie. My 11yo DD put the chooks (6wk old) in their pen and closed the door, but forgot to check the coop (attached) door. Let dogs (large!) out. No blood/feathers, just 2 dead chooks, and 1 missing. It really sucked, but I had DD come back outside to check on things, and she got the dual shock of 2 dead birds and finding the 3rd one unscathed. (I posted the "lesson learned" incident)
Sigh... She and I both cried, she hugged the remaining chook till I thought it would be bare and drowned (in tears). DH dug a hole and we had a mini funeral (even DH was secretly teary-eyed). DD now checks ALL possible entry points when taking care of birds, and cleans the brooder for the new chicks every day. We all do "dumb" things, so don't beat yourself up, just learn from it. We're human, and that's divine.

 

[BeakSanctuary]

BFeathered, I'm glad to hear at least the one survived to be loved all the more, seeing as how easily things we love can be taken away by accident or just by a 5% error in judgement. I'm glad your DD came through the experience so well and that she likes the birds so much.