My hens are gone. RIP, my beautiful friends.

[ecocheapomom]

I am so sorry for your loss. Your story really struck a chord with me as a first year chicken raiser and 2nd year gardener. My garden is terrible this year and I am constantly paranoid about my pullets. My thoughts are with you and I think you should keep trying. "The beauty of the view is always worth the climb."

 

[verlaj]

Four acre bliss - I am so sorry about your hens! I also can relate - and I know my loss was entirely my fault. Did not go out to lock the coop one night because it was absolutely pouring for hours - figured no animal would be out hunting in the terrible rain. When the rain slacked off, I went out to lock up my hens - and found 3 were missing - found one dead and 2 piles of feathers. Had to search for the other 5, which were cowering under cover, scattered around the coop. I have not forgotten those hens died because I didn't want to get wet that night.

Maybe there is a chicken swap group in your area that you can find on BYC? We have an active group here, and there are always nice birds to buy and nice people to meet. Best wishes!

 

[Four Acre Bliss]

In my husband's defense, he spent all day yesterday working on fortifying the run and worrying with me about the chickens -- he just decided the one last thing (the thing I felt was most important) could wait at the end of a long day. He just didn't see the gap he'd accidentally made ... he's as torn up about this as I am. It may sort of be his fault, but he knows that as well as I do and he's not a bad guy at all -- he loved our pullets.

We're not leaving the country and I've made plans to go see some started pullets at a nearby farm Wednesday night. On to fixing our mistakes ...

Thanks for all the support today. I needed it. You are all wonderful.

 

[E-Chick]

Quote:
First of all, sorry to hear about your loss.

And, secondly, BRAVO girl! Pick yourself up and carry on! You won't be disappointed. The new batch of pullets will lift your spirits and bless you with more lovely eggs!

Hang in there!

 

[gwennym]

Sweet Cheeks ---

Now, YOU'RE the kinda gal that I wanna be !!

My sig. other is lucky he knows which way to pound a nail, much less climb up on the roof of the coop to fix things. If I'm trying something new (electrical, etc.), I get Dad to come over and help, but ONLY so I can learn myself. I just don't want to EVER be left with no skills to help myself.

As I mentioned in another post, I've shored up my coop with enough nails and staples to keep it from blowing away in a tornado.

And living in the country is SO worth it that I don't regret a minute the hard work and, sometimes, the heartbreak.

Thanks for tellin' it like it is ........

Gwen

 

[rancher hicks]

sorry for you loss. Since you've so much invested I would fix everything to your spec's for security and start over.

 

[gwennym]

I'm so glad to hear you're sticking it out in the country. Things like mass chicken carnage make you doubt your decision to live a bit "off the grid" as the homesteaders say, but I think, sometimes, these bad spots just make us tougher people.

I'm sure your hubbie was just sick over it. Sometimes the country REALLY makes you regret the small things you either overlook or want to put off. Brings things right back to reality.

Great to hear you've already found new hens. You'll have eggs and new "girlfriends" again really soon.

All the best --- Gwen

 

[foweler]

Don't give up!

 

[chickensioux]

I lived in a huge city my whole life. All my life I wanted trees and room and animals. Now I live in a very rural area and can't imagine living any other way again. Even as I age and can't take care of the property I have, I will choose something similar and never the city life again. I already posted on your loss and again I am sorry. I hope you decide to try again. And the best of luck if you do.

 

[Mom2Cool]

Quote:
Four Acre Bliss of course your hubby's not a bad guy & we all make mistakes. Just like you shouldn't beat yourself up neither should he be made to feel bad either, it was a mistake and while it's a hard lesson we all learn from the hard lessons... How many have come to the predators board & even this thread & said "I knew I should have locked them in but just this once it was raining" or "I simply forgot" etc. Mistakes they happen & we feel horrible for them and your husband you're right he already knows & doesn't need more heaped on him... Any guy who works all day trying to secure a coop hardly sounds like a "jerk" & as you can see he & you are in some pretty good company when it comes to having lost chicks/chickens to predators. We're all just learning as we go along & when mistakes happen they just happen & empathy is in order.

You sound like you're getting back on track & you will have laying hens again. Oh & you know if you're having an issue with racoons a little electric fence goes a looonnnggg way.

It won't keep the minks or weasels out but a well placed white tape will keep the racoons out.

and tell hubby rule of thumb for racoons is anything a 5 yr. old can open so can a racoon. Even with the electric fence I still have the bike/key locks on all the door latches.