It’s me! Hi! I’m a newbie here, that’s me!

[NikkisChickees]

Good morning, and welcome to BYC. Good luck in expanding your flock. You may want to consider hot wire protection for your flock.

Thank you! I do plan to add electric wire around the based to prevent any digging since any dogs/coyotes won’t be able to jump the fence going forward.

 

[NikkisChickees]

Sorry about your hens. I know from first-hand experience how terrible it is to lose chickens -- especially your first ones -- to a predator. But, it sounds like you have taken precautions that will help keep your new babies safer.

Congrats on having the wherewithal to rebuild your flock, on having a mom who can share her experience with you and on joining this awesome community.

Welcome to BYC; let us know when those babies arrive!

It was definitely very rough. I free range my chickens in a fenced paddock and I know that comes with risks. I lost one the first week they were outside to a hawk. But losing the majority of my flock to a neighborhood dog that has a roof over its head and fed 3 times a day… I was not prepared for that. It was a very tragic day and I actually witnessed the attack.

My roo was fine but my surviving hen was attacked. I was pretty sure she wasn’t going to make it but somehow she did. We now call her Lucky LuLee lol but I had to make the choice- rehome my two chooks or rebuild my flock.

I couldnt live with forcing my roo to be a second in command to my moms rooster (I really don’t like the guy ) or honestly rehoming them and putting them at the bottom of any pecking order. So rebuild I am!! With my moms love and support along the way

Also- I think anyone with chickens understands the hard work that goes into raising them, preparing their coop and run/paddock, feeding them, cleaning their coop, etc etc etc. hours and hours of raising chicks to chickens and pounding t-posts into the earth. I just wasn’t going to let this dog win and stop my journey of chicken tending. Especially when it brings me so much joy.