Lost a little one tonight

[yellowswirl]

we have a temporary run under our trampoline that we've been using for the past 2 weeks until our permanent run is completed. We've been taking our 9 chicks out in the morning and bringing them in before dinner. I check on them every hour. So far all's been fine. So I decided to leave the house for a few hours (for kid's soccer practice) and leave them outside. Not a good idea. When I got home, one baby was missing. She had dug a hole and got out. It was getting dark and we were all searching with flashlights. No luck.

My son feels like it's his fault. He saw the hole before we left and said he dug it out more to pet the chicks. Poor baby. He's only 8 and is so distraught. Cried himself to sleep while we snuggled.

Lesson learned. Make sure your runs are secure. Both to keep predators out but also to keek chicks in.

I did tell him that we'll go pick out a new one for him. Maybe we'll get 2, I don't want the new baby to be lonely.

Feeling sad tonight.

 

[snowwhitejen]

so sorry for your loss

 

[drewskimac]

Always sad to lose a bird... Especially the little ones. However, we learn from our mistakes and one day the knowledge gained will provide long and happy lives for many birds

 

[csaylorchickens]

I'm sorry!

I have a coop and small run underneath. I extended their roaming range by putting a dog hate around the coop so they can get more dirt ect but luckily I had them fully in the coop and run when I discovered a neighborhood cat prowling and trying to get into the run! I yelled at it and scared it away. Lesson learned to not leave them free ranging without supervision. Could have been a bad discovery as well.

 

[yellowswirl]

Thank you! I have certainly learned my lesson. Cats! We have several that roam our yard. New neighbors that brought a bunch of cats with them.

I like the crate idea, may have to implement that one with the new ones we are getting.

 

[yellowswirl]

So I just got home from the feed store with 2 new little Barred rocks.

Then my neighbor comes over and asks if I'd like a little chick. They found one in their backyard this morning. I said, OMG! It was our little one that we thought was lost!

 

[lukemower]

Happy ending, usually that doesn't happen, but it is amazing what they can go through. I accidentally left my chicks outside one night. they were all just fine.

 

[Suziqzer]

Yeah!! The lost is found! I'm sure your son is happy to see it return.
And the chicken math begins.

 

[yellowswirl]

Yeah!! The lost is found! I'm sure your son is happy to see it return.
And the chicken math begins.

Chicken math alright. She came over just as I was pulling in the driveway with 2 new baby barred rocks.

Initially wanted 4, now we have 11.

 

[Peeps61]

Glad you found your chick. I posted a story about a lost hen of mine under the "Managing Your Flock" forum. It's call, "The Rest Of The Story!" Check it out!