Is it me or is having chickens complicated?

[Got13now]

It’s almost 1 am and my head hurts after reading so many fascinating and educational posts from other chicken lovers. I’m trying to learn as much as I can but the more I learn, I get overwhelmed and begin to think that I have no business being a chicken “Mom”. I am fond of my ladies and Mr. Roo. I think we built a nice and roomy coop and a very safe large yard to dig up and hunt in. They have good food and fresh water whenever they want it. They always come running when they see me cause they love my treats. I love it when they relax and sleep in my arms as I sing to them. Really, I am surprised that they like my singing cause I sound awful. I’m obsessed with counting the ladies, making sure they are all safe.
However, tonight I found a dead hen. There wasn’t much left of her, she was completely hollowed out. I could clearly see blood on the neck and face feathers of 2 light colored hens. I think they murdered her and became cannibals. So, after hours of reading, I have read about chicken diseases, parasites, coop maintenance and more. I have not found anything about hens killing another hen and eating it. I’m realizing that there’s much more to do besides the feeding chickens, cleaning the coop, and socializing with the ladies. I am realizing that chickens are not easy. What have I missed with this casualty? They could have a disease and I would not realize it because I lack the knowledge. Perhaps I am just too old to do all the things that a lot of you do for your chickens. How did some of you learn so much ? Are chickens really so vulnerable? If I can’t recognize a sick chicken and feed them properly, maybe I shouldn’t keep them ? I don’t have any answers to this.Thank you in advance for your helpful answers !

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chickens are easy relatively speaking, certainly easier than a dog or even a rat. It's fairly rare that chickens will kill each other, however they will munch on dead members if they can. I've found 2 chicks eating another chick that died via accident, they certainly didn't kill her but took advantage of the fact that she was dead.

How predator proof is your set up? Where was the body found? Assessing for illness is generally fairly basic by just looking for any behavior that's out of the norm - I assume in this case you didn't notice anything like that? As gruesome as it sounds, it's always best to photograph what you find and mark the post appropriately (i.e. "Graphic: found a dead hen") so the situation can be assessed.

 

[Got13now]

My husband David found her body under the coop. We are pretty confident that predators are not able to get into the chicken area. I have to remember to take pictures but hopefully it won’t happen again. Thank you for the reassurance about chicken ownership

 

[KRack]

My husband David found her body under the coop. We are pretty confident that predators are not able to get into the chicken area. I have to remember to take pictures but hopefully it won’t happen again. Thank you for the reassurance about chicken ownership

Pictures would be really helpful to get a thorough answer from people much more experienced than myself.

I find chickens to be a very easy pet, but I’ve also had casualties. Mostly illness but also an Eagle once. How much room to roam do your chickens have? How many chickens do you have total?

Chickens will pick on each other if confined to too small a space, or if one is ill/lame.

 

[KRack]

Also, treats can be a fatal problem for chickens. What treats do you give them and how often?

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

Chickens are a very complicated animal, to say the least. Most people believe that all you have to do is get a coop, a run, and feed the chickens while you watch them grow up. That is not all you have to do, and that is only the beginning to things you will experience later on. Chickens are fairly easy to care for when you have studied them, and I believe you need to stop worrying so largely about your chickens. Take a break, and study only what you need to at the time. Remember that BackYard Chickens is there for you if you need to ask a question. Do not stress yourself.

It sounds like your issue is that a predator came into the pen and killed your hen, then the rest of the chickens did what chickens do: become cannibals and finish the hen off, since chickens see that as a free source of protein. I want you to realize that your chickens would not suddenly, at random, attack your hen and kill her that fast. That is the doings of a predator, not her flockmates. If her flockmates did kill her, you would have noticed slow feather-picking and wounds on her before she died.

 

[triciayoung]

I agree with @SwampPrincessChick, this is the work of a predator. We can help you with pictures of your set up

 

[Got13now]

Pictures would be really helpful to get a thorough answer from people much more experienced than myself.

I find chickens to be a very easy pet, but I’ve also had casualties. Mostly illness but also an Eagle once. How much room to roam do your chickens have? How many chickens do you have total?

Chickens will pick on each other if confined to too small a space, or if one is ill/lame.

Wow, an eagle? That is so intimidating. Right now the chickens have about a quarter of an acre to roam around. We have 12 chickens which includes a rooster.

 

[Got13now]

I agree with @SwampPrincessChick, this is the work of a predator. We can help you with pictures of your set up

Thank you. I’m going to add pictures of the chicken set up Sunday.

 

[Got13now]

Also, treats can be a fatal problem for chickens. What treats do you give them and how often?

I’m growing mealworms and give the chickens about 40 total between the flock. I also give them some oats, lettuce, and some bread I bake. I don’t give them much and only maybe 3 times a week.