I had three 9 1/2 week old pullets, one Buff Orp and 2 Austrolorps. Yesterday DH got home from work and noticed our Austrolorp Inky was missing. They are escape artists, so he searched the whole yard, but no luck. As he was leaving the run, he noticed that the three gallon bucket I had upside down as a stool was in an unusual spot, and picked it up. Inky had somehow flipped the bucked on top of herself and either smothered or died of heat exposure. The bucket is black.
Needless to say, there are no buckets or bowls allowed in the chicken compund any longer. Feeders and waterers are hanging only and secured. I feel horrible that the poor little girl suffered like that. I had no idea that she could have gotten stuck underneath it, since it was opening down to begin with.
I love having chickens, but will always hate this part. Please think about this if you keep buckets or bowls in your run with bantams or youngsters.
Needless to say, there are no buckets or bowls allowed in the chicken compund any longer. Feeders and waterers are hanging only and secured. I feel horrible that the poor little girl suffered like that. I had no idea that she could have gotten stuck underneath it, since it was opening down to begin with.
I love having chickens, but will always hate this part. Please think about this if you keep buckets or bowls in your run with bantams or youngsters.