So I have been soo excited to get my little guys. I started doing my research last year when we decieded to get some chicks it was already fall and the ones that I wanted to get were not avail till spring so all winter I waited.. then spring came and we got them. I am so excited. I think that they are great.. But I am the worst chicken mom there is.. so far one got taken away by a hawk or something.. another is haning on for dear life (for around 24 hours) two more are picking at themselves. And my friend that split the order with me. All is well with hers.. Nothing wrong. AHHHH So my wonderfull long waited excitement is actually turning out to be a stresser. Thanks for the listen.,..
Awwww smom! You are not a bad chicken mommy. You are just a NEW chicken mommy. I started last year and was far less prepared or excited than you are. Dad (in whose house ds and I live) said he was getting chickens and I thought he was just talking AGAIN. He got them; then I got my own. Mine were much better than his. Then I got more and this time the man at the feed store said that most of them were females. he checked the wings. ??? Anyway, we lost quite a few both early on and later. We lost a duck and a couple chickens to a bad case of ten year olds. Then to poorly installed poultry net fence, to one of our dogs we lost at least one hen and a turkey who might just have been a tom. We have one Americana who survived many traumatic events including the dog, getting stuck in the fence, the roosters (all but 4 of Dad's 15 chicks were roos) and now the one remaining rooster who his managed to fertilize all FIVE of the girls. It is tricky, you'll get the hang of it. How old are your chicks? I'm not one to give advice, being so new at this, but until they are about 6 weeks, they should be enclosed either in the coop or in a coop with a covered run. I could be wrong, but that's what I learned. BTW, we started a year ago March and today our first chicken eggs hatched, thanks to our turkey hen. Dad didn't stop at just chickens, he likes to go all out!
Dont beat yourself up to bad these things happen. Trial and error that is how we learn. you will do better next time I am sure.