My hens are gone. RIP, my beautiful friends.

[bawkbawkbawk]

So very very sorry for your loss. I would be distraught also. I really hope you get some more birds soon - sounds like your DH will now be on the same page as far as helping you protect them.

 

[chickensioux]

Oh my goodness, you are being so hard on yourself. All of us on here have lost poultry in one way or another. We all feel your pain. I cannot speak for you or anyone else but only for myself when I say that I would order more babies. That way you know you will have hens, raise them yourself and they will be friendly and healthy and the breeds that you want. Little fuzzy butts do wonders to make you smile and begin again. So sorry for the loss of your chickens.

 

[citrusdreams]

Quote:
I'm so sorry for your loss and everything you've been through. If you're able to fix the henhouse and pen the way you want to, I'd certainly replace the chickens. As for the garden, in my experience guineas cause less damage to the crops than chickens do. Chickens tend to peck at the fruits of your labor as well as the bugs.

Whatever you do, don't beat yourself up about it. You did the best you could.

Try Craig's List or Local Shopping Network.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

That happened to us when we first got into chickens. We didn't really know much about building a coop. The man we got the chickens from had used chicken wire so we did too. They were fine for awhile then spring came and hungry predators feedidng their young. We lost all but 2 hens and our rooster was very badly hurt. I had ato hand feed him for months.
You do what we did we started over. DH built a very secure coop and run. He used 2 x 4 inch welded wire on the run and dug it into the ground. Then he put the chicken wire on the inside of the run so nothing could grab through. Then we started looking for young pullets in our area. We asked at the feed store and got online to craigslist. We found a wonderful farmer who is now a friend who sold us 18 young pullets and a young rooster(in case ours didn't make it) I know its heart breaking to loose your flock. We unfortunately learn by our mistakes. Now when we build a coop it is a fort knox. The chickens are locked into their coops at night so nothing can get in. For the ventilation holes in the coop DH just used pieces of 2 x 4 wire from the inside so nothing can get through. You can also use air conditioner vent covers from walmart. they offer the ventilation but nothing can get through those slits. Hope this helps. Again I feel your pain but as you will see many of us on here have gone through the same thing.Micki

 

[froggie71]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know it's hard to lose even 1 of our birds.

Sometime even your local animal shelter will have chickens. Our 4-H group helps to find homes for them when they are brought to our local shelter. Take care.

 

[Casey3043]

So sorry for your loss. I know how bad you must feel, but because you loved your hens, you must get more. It will make you feel better, I know.

In our area, the 4H kids raise spring chicks and sell started pullets (point of lay) in the late summer and fall. They are clean, lovely birds, many different breeds.

CASEY

 

[Four Acre Bliss]

I'll look into the 4-H possibility. Thanks for all the words of comfort. I just can't believe they're gone. They were my friends. My husband says I shouldn't get so attached and I guess he's right. We've had losses before, but one at a time. All of them at once is just too much to take ... such a sad sight. And such a waste ... all the raccoon took was their heads and crops. Their healthy, round bodies were just left to rot. I used to think raccoons were cute ... I even caught two of them in the act of stealing cat food the other night and just scared them away -- probably the same exact raccoons that murdered my birds. I now hate raccoons with the fire of ten thousand suns and any that I see will be terminated immediately from now on. Lesson learned.

 

[Pattymal]

Just wanted to say how sorry I am!

That is so, so sad.
I hope you are able to find some new hens to take their place, or some fuzzy little new chicks, once your heart starts to heal.

We have a dozen eggs in the 'bator and are moving to our own 6 acre bliss in August. We already KNOW we have a mess of racoons living in the barn (grr

) and I am just terrified of

the critters that are going to be after those babies!
Not to mention our property is close to a fairly busy road, and we have two little girls, a dog, and one outdoor kitty, who are used to our very safe, very sleepy suburban neighborhood...
I think our move to the country is going to be an eye opening, and ocasionally heartbreaking experience for our family...

 

[Redyre Rotties]

I am so terribly sorry for your losses. I hope you can find some more nice hens to give a great home to.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

So sorry for your loss. Do not be too hard on your own best efforts. Mourn a bit. Breathe out, Breathe In, Try Again.

Good Luck!