Lost one of my chicks

[McGold]

I just got started a week ago. I was so proud that my 4 chicks made it almost one whole week. Tonight in a matter of 3 minutes my pit bull mix got into the coop and took one of my pullets. The other 3 were fine but we found the 4th in her dog bed inside. I read up on dogs and tried my best to train her to stay away from coop. I thought it was going well. I can easily secure this part she broke into. You live you learn I guess. Why do I feel so depressed I lost one? Do I need to toughen up? I' have to explain to my 3 year old daughter why there are 3 now. Should I get another chick to replace or let the 3 remaining go on together just them? Sorry for rambling, but I was woken up in middle of night from commotion and now I can't sleep

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings and welcome. Sorry for the reason you're here now. Three chickens makes a good starter flock. If you drop to 2 I'd say by all means go get a couple more. They are flock animals and need to be in at least pairs. Most recommend trios as chickens have the nasty habit of losing their lives in the weirdest ways... So starting with 4 actually worked out for you in a sad sorta way... We're all enablers here so YES! Go get another couple! Don't take it too hard... these things happen to most of us at some point. Now you know to not trust the dog.

 

[cavemanrich]

Soo sad to hear this.
You do not need to give your 3 year old any details as to what actually happened. You can just say that chick got lost. or flew away. Your lil one would be devastated to know the dog incident. You can sneak a replacement in the coop. It has to be your choice.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

Yes, you can get more chicks if you like, but you MUST make sure that dog is supervised 100% of the time in the vicinity of your chickens. Make sure the coop and run are secure so your dog can't get to them. Now that the dog has taken one, s/he will have that predatory drive. It is absolutely normal to feel sad for a loss. It is okay to have a big heart. Now, you know, and will do better from here.

 

[nightowl223]

Oh, don't beat yourself up about the loss! I know that it's really hard, and it really hurts, and makes you very sad, but stuff happens with chickens all the time! You can NEVER be 100% certain your chickens are 100% safe! You can build the Fort Knox of chicken coops, and things can still happen. A raccoon can chew its way through your coop, or a wild bird can poop where the chickens walk through it and they can get sick, or one can get laying problems, and end up eggbound, or they can get hold of a piece of string that blew in on the wind, or a stupid plastic bag, or anything similar, and they can get tangled up in it, or eat it and it cause problems in their crop or their innards, or ... like I said, ANYTHING can happen to them. You can ask old timers that have had chickens for decades, and they will tell you that even they don't know it all.

If you do decide to add more chooks to the little flock, the best way I have found is to sprinkle everyone with garlic powder (NOT garlic salt!), on their bellies and under their feathers, and sprinkle the coop with it, in the nesting boxes and on the litter on the floor, and sprinkle the new birds with the garlic powder, too. It makes everyone smell the same, smell like they belong there. Then at night, just set the new birds onto the roost. I've very, very seldom had any problems when doing it that way.

 

[Latestarter]

Keeps away chicken vampires too! Hey, they really exist!

 

[cavemanrich]

If you do decide to add more chooks to the little flock, the best way I have found is to sprinkle everyone with garlic powder (NOT garlic salt!), on their bellies and under their feathers, and sprinkle the coop with it, in the nesting boxes and on the litter on the floor, and sprinkle the new birds with the garlic powder, too. It makes everyone smell the same, smell like they belong there. Then at night, just set the new birds onto the roost. I've very, very seldom had any problems when doing it that way.

That is a really good IDEA

Spoiler: Read but do not take offense

Puts you half way there;;

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8...ContentType=search results&clickId=cardslot 2

 

[Chickassan]

Replace, I just lost one too she was 3 years old and iv'e got no children to console but I ordered 4 more to replace 1. I would'nt go into details with your kiddo just say it ran away or put a new one in and say nothing at that age you can get away with it. The others are right about extras though, even with the best of everything stuff happens.

 

[nightowl223]

Keeps away chicken vampires too! Hey, they really exist!

LOL, I feed my chickens minced garlic every so often! They enjoy it, and it boosts their immune systems.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Sorry you lost one I had a pair of dogs get one of my girls years ago, it was hard to deal with emotionally.

I’d suggest getting several more. Chickens die rather easily.