Over the course of the last few months, I've aquired alot of different chickens. And we've had tons of trouble with feather-picking, and an infestation of Northern Fowl mites. Not to mention, I'm trying to train and prepare birds for show in a month. I've been busy.
We bought 3 day-old Faverolles from Meyer Hatchery because we didn't expect to find other birds we wanted. Not 4 days into their living here, one of the chicks got sick and passed away. She was weak from the beginning. The two remaining birds grew up together and lived off of each other. They were attatched to the hip and seemingly thrived on each other's company. I never wanted that. They both grew to not really want human company. I tend to put alot of myself into my birds to make them social but neglected to do so this year because of all of the business going on. I know the horrible things that can result from only having two chicks. And I'm now living it.
I've made a bad habit of leaving my birds in the feeding/storage section of the coop. There was a section of the rafters that was never closed off, and I never really thought it would pose an issue. We've had chickens for 3 and a half years and have not lost a single bird to predators. What could happen?
This morning I woke up to take care of the animals. I opened the coop door and immediately saw that my Polish hen's crate was knocked to the side. I thought one of her free-roaming buddies also in the storage area got a little tipsy. Then I looked under her at the Faverolles' crates and saw only one chick, who looked fantic. I saw the other one's wing outstretched on the outside of the crate and thought it was caught on something. But when I went to help, I pulled her wing and noticed with was detatched from her body.
I was absolutely hysterical. Then I noticed the frantic chick was standing on her buddy's lifeless body, or, what was left of it. I ran back to my house and got my dad, unable to face the scene alone. I had already established that a racoon had gotten in, and an innocent bird had to die a horrible death because of my lack of concern. After we removed what was left of Camille's body, still shaking, I took out the remaining chick and held her. Having only been raised with her deceased buddy, and the not-so-often visits from me, that was it for her social life. She had no one else binding her to this world. And now I have to provide her with the love she can no longer attain from her only other broodmate. I cannot even begin to fathom the terrible things she much have witnessed last night and the trauma she must be feeling.
After cleaning the remains, I took care of the other birds thinking what about the things that had to be done. My father and I established that the rafters had to be fully covered to prevent this from happening again, obviously. And they were shortly after. But as soon as I left, I heard the lone chick crying from her cage. As soon as I went back, she started flipping out and cheeping. I went to her cage and started petting her, until she settled down and snuggled. Before then, she could not bare to be near people, or else be touched by them for only a moment. And now, I'm the only thing she knows anymore.
After spending the day finishing up chores that had to be done, I let the baby out again and she followed me around like she did her buddy, with alot of playfighting and sharing treats. I know I cannot fill the void in her life where her chicken friend once was. But for now, she has nowhere to go. She's only 2 months old. I was hoping to put her with the adults starting next month, taking her away only to give her her chick food. But this change now stresses things. Monique needs chicken friends. I'm now struggling to choose between doing what's right for her physical well-being, and doing what's right for her heart.
We bought 3 day-old Faverolles from Meyer Hatchery because we didn't expect to find other birds we wanted. Not 4 days into their living here, one of the chicks got sick and passed away. She was weak from the beginning. The two remaining birds grew up together and lived off of each other. They were attatched to the hip and seemingly thrived on each other's company. I never wanted that. They both grew to not really want human company. I tend to put alot of myself into my birds to make them social but neglected to do so this year because of all of the business going on. I know the horrible things that can result from only having two chicks. And I'm now living it.
I've made a bad habit of leaving my birds in the feeding/storage section of the coop. There was a section of the rafters that was never closed off, and I never really thought it would pose an issue. We've had chickens for 3 and a half years and have not lost a single bird to predators. What could happen?
This morning I woke up to take care of the animals. I opened the coop door and immediately saw that my Polish hen's crate was knocked to the side. I thought one of her free-roaming buddies also in the storage area got a little tipsy. Then I looked under her at the Faverolles' crates and saw only one chick, who looked fantic. I saw the other one's wing outstretched on the outside of the crate and thought it was caught on something. But when I went to help, I pulled her wing and noticed with was detatched from her body.
After cleaning the remains, I took care of the other birds thinking what about the things that had to be done. My father and I established that the rafters had to be fully covered to prevent this from happening again, obviously. And they were shortly after. But as soon as I left, I heard the lone chick crying from her cage. As soon as I went back, she started flipping out and cheeping. I went to her cage and started petting her, until she settled down and snuggled. Before then, she could not bare to be near people, or else be touched by them for only a moment. And now, I'm the only thing she knows anymore.
After spending the day finishing up chores that had to be done, I let the baby out again and she followed me around like she did her buddy, with alot of playfighting and sharing treats. I know I cannot fill the void in her life where her chicken friend once was. But for now, she has nowhere to go. She's only 2 months old. I was hoping to put her with the adults starting next month, taking her away only to give her her chick food. But this change now stresses things. Monique needs chicken friends. I'm now struggling to choose between doing what's right for her physical well-being, and doing what's right for her heart.
