Just kind of discouraged. Horrible update: post 29, I think. So sad.

[augustwest]

OMG, that picture is priceless!!

Thank you all so much. I emailed my silkie connection and will get Silvia some friends. We WILL get more peepers in the spring- probably 4 EE (cause I LOVE those green eggs). I informed my husband that I am back in the saddle and he reminded me that our coop is only big enough for 7 hens. I reminded HIM that I could probably bang together a silkie coop pretty quickly. He just sighed.

BACK IN THE SADDLE!

Thank you!

 

[ParadiseFoundFarm]

Glad my little friend could help

 

[Where The Wild Things Are]

Quote:
He he...the hubby just got his first lesson in chicken math! I'm very sorry to hear of your losses, but very glad that you found the strength to endure.

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, I have lost chickens! Ugh! but I like having chickens, and if you lose some, well you have to get more! And they will be different, and that will be fun.

Predators are my main problem, as in huge. My two sons built me fort knox, and it really helps. They must be locked up tight before dark! I let them free range quite a bit in the summer, but now, it is dark before I get home and if I left them out, the coons, the minks, the coyotes all would eating chicken for dinner, once I had a coon leave me a message asking if I would leave BBQ sauce, he was getting tired of them plain!

It is tough, and you do feel bad, but go ahead and try again! Try some different kinds.

 

[mener6896]

 

[Hippie Chicks Mom]

August. Hang in there! You may want to try adults or young ones already started and hopefully healthy. I was going to start with chicks but got 1 year olds instead and could not be happier!!!! They were happy, healthy girls already laying and from the same "family" so they got along and "knew" each other. Good Luck.

 

[augustwest]

Ok, so true confession time. I'm going to the NE poultry show this weekend!!!

I called the place that I got my chicks from in the spring and confirmed they were vaccinated for mareks. My local silkies were not, but her flock is tested (is that called NPIP?) and I've had great experiences with her.

IF I bring a few ladies home, I will quarantine them in my house for a month. It will probably be too cold to put them out at that time, so I've got to remember that these chickens will be in my house for a long time. But, you know, we've made stranger things work.

 

[TriciaHowe]

National Poultry Improvement Plan, a farm is certified as free of Pullorum Typhoid, Salmonella Pullorum by a simple blood test done on each and every bird and swabs from your incubator(s). Many states also offer or integrate Avian Influenza testing as part of their program.

This is not the same as Mareks...... But it does sounds like her flock is NPIP tested

Great that you are going though!

 

[augustwest]

Totally horrible update. Hawk attack, apparently. Came home to a horrible mess. They killed our rooster, silkie pullet and one of our PR hens. I'm assuming hawk. Feathers everywhere. One dead body- our heavy PR. Beautiful white roosteer feathers everywhere. One PR body has got a huge gash. Kids screaming, 2 chickens left are a mess- one cowering in the nest box, the other huddled under a bush. Both totally traumatized. Seem unharmed however.


I don't know if I can go on with this. It just seems cruel to my kids.

So sad.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Oh I am so sorry for your loss.

I took a three-four year break with chickens because I was so overwhelmed emotionally after our roo had to be put down for meanness.

Sometimes it helps to step back.

Do what you feel is best.