MY CHICK WAS KILLED!

[ButtonquailGirl14]

i was just outside and was going to take some pics of my chicks and low & behold... a hawk darts from under my coop i panick and run in their pen and sure enough my sweet little Ameruacana pullet it shredded to pieces... i have been bawling ever since..i have had chicks outside for 2 days and there is already an incident. i have been watching them all day and they at just in a tiny pen around the coop.. R.I.P Hazelnut... You were Loved (this was yesterday, but we didn't have internet) i have all the chicks locked in the coop but added some windows. i have owned chickens for 2 weeks and one is already gone some owner i am
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[ChickenGirl555]

My little polish cockerel, Kevin, was my favorite. I recently lost him from my grown pullets rippng him apart. When I got home I found him still breathing, but he was such a horrible condition I had to end his pain. I didn't stop crying for three days straight. Anytime I even looked at a picture of him, I would have to hold back tears. The only thing that helped me get over it was the rest of my chicks.

I understand your pain, and I hope the rest of your chicks grow up big and strong. I just think of it as Mother Nature's plan, and that now Hazelnut will not have to go through mites, pain, fear, and that's she's in the safest place she could be. You loved her enough to care, and I think that's what really matters.

 

[The Phantom]

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

My little polish cockerel, Kevin, was my favorite. I recently lost him from my grown pullets rippng him apart. When I got home I found him still breathing, but he was such a horrible condition I had to end his pain. I didn't stop crying for three days straight. Anytime I even looked at a picture of him, I would have to hold back tears. The only thing that helped me get over it was the rest of my chicks.

I understand your pain, and I hope the rest of your chicks grow up big and strong. I just think of it as Mother Nature's plan, and that now Hazelnut will not have to go through mites, pain, fear, and that's she's in the safest place she could be. You loved her enough to care, and I think that's what really matters.

I am SO sorry!! that is horrible... Thanks for the comforting words! last night during band practice i cried during most of the songs that i sing lead on because they remind me of her.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Sorry for your loss.

Those chicks are way too young to be out in exposure.
They are predator magnets. A hawk is looking for food that is small and easy to carry off. Your babies need covered protection. It's spring time. Food was scarce all winter. Mother nature's creatures are starving. Protect the rest of your chicks.

 

[BlueChai]

I'm so sorry you had to go through this, no one wants to feel the pain of seeing one of your little babies get torn up. However, as Farmer Connie said, you chicks are too young to be outside. They are every predators' dream, they are easy pickings. Take them inside in a warm brooder until they are bigger. This was a learning experience, now you know how to keep your current babies and your future ones safe when they are small. Good luck to you on your journey of chicken raising, I hope you don't have to go through this again.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I have an outdoor safe-pen that I use to let them be outside all day without supervision. It's made of two rabbit fences. I use one as the walls and then I lay one on top. If it's wobbly I tie the weakest part to a metal post in the ground. Totally hawk proof, never had any deaths or break-ins with it. Also, crows eat chicks too so beware (I have a few dozen crows by me. Luckily, the crows scare away the hawks!)

At first I just used the "wall" fence, but then a hawk landed next to the cage one day and dropped his previous meal (a mouse) as he prepared for a fresh one. Luckily my 8lb chiweenie is super protective of them and tried to attack it, scaring it away before it took a chick. That's when I put the fence on top.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Also, I always arm myself with a stick or pole to wave at any crows if I'm free ranging the babies, and I NEVER leave them alone unless in their safe pen. And I especially won't let them out because now my own grown pullets are the biggest predator here.

 

[RodNTN]

I am so sorry about what happened I agree with @Farmer Connie, though. They are too young to be outside unprotected. This happened for a reason, and keep in mind, this is natures way