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Sad Lesson Learned today, lost 3 chickens.

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by mochicken, Jun 30, 2011.

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  1. Jun 30, 2011 #1
    mochicken

    mochicken Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I had 3 bsl pullets and 3 roosters ( I know roosters lol ) in a 12x16 run with a 8'x10' coop with plenty of shade around it and under the coop which I have 3 sided wood so they always have shade, they were perfectly happy in there but I decided that since I have not let them free range yet then I will "expand their horizons" by putting 3 16' hog panels against their run to make an extension so they can get out and eat fresh grass and dig around. They have done great the last 2 weeks, when I go let them out of their coop in the morning I leave the run door open all day and they come and go as they please in the extended area.

    The temps today are around 102 and the heat index around 112, EXTREMELY HOT since yesterday was mid 80s and they last week has been 70's.

    Today I am down with pneumonia so I only got to let them out this morning and gave them fresh water and food, I then went to get them some fresh water to make sure they had cool water around 5pm when the heat index was still 110 outside. I found 2 of my BSL pullets and one of my EE roosters dead outside the run, they were still in the extended part but were not in the actual run where the water is, they were dead right outside the fence by the waterer so they could literally see it but could not reach it.

    I feel so bad right now to know that I caused this, I am really mad that I did not think about this happening.

    I buried the birds along with my pride, I also put 2 different waterers in that extended part, and an extra one in their coop so now they have 4 waterers and 2 feeders, it might be more than what they need but I feel I caused this so I must make it right for the future flock.

    I have only one pullet laying now [​IMG] I have several RIR, BR, and BSL chicks that are between 6 and 10 weeks old so I have a couple months before I am "back in the eggs" but perhaps that is the lesson I learn by not thinking about things so simple [​IMG]

    SO the lesson is, if you are placing your chickens or other animals outside their "normal enclosure" be sure to provide them with plenty of water and shade.
     
  3. Jun 30, 2011 #2
    CarolJ

    CarolJ Dogwood Trace Farm

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    I'm so sorry you lost your chickens. A good lesson for all of us to learn. [​IMG]
     
  5. Jun 30, 2011 #3
    vnploveschickens

    vnploveschickens Chillin' With My Peeps

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    [​IMG]

    I'm sorry for your loss.

    I think we've all made mistakes too, but we learn from them.

    Please take care of yourself too. Don't want that pneumonia becoming something worse.
     
  7. Jun 30, 2011 #4
    Gardengirl 2011

    Gardengirl 2011 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    [​IMG] I'm sorry for your loss. We've all made mistakes, but they're lessons learned. I hope you get to feeling better too.
     
  9. Jun 30, 2011 #5
    Yay Chicks!

    Yay Chicks! Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Forest Grove, OR
    I am really sorry you lost your birds. I feel bad for you. [​IMG] I had pneumonia once and literally couldn't contemplate getting out of bed for days, so it's understandable if you weren't 'on top of it.' Hopefully, you can cut yourself some slack. Thanks for having to courage to post so that others can learn from this.
     
  11. Jun 30, 2011 #6
    NottinghamChicks

    NottinghamChicks Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Tip of Rockingham County, NH
    So sorry to hear. Thank you for sharing your tough lesson [​IMG]
     
  13. Jun 30, 2011 #7
    AlienChick

    AlienChick Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Apr 9, 2010
    Glasgow, KY
    Oh, I am so sorry for your loss.

    It's always so sad when things like this happen. [​IMG]
     
  15. Jun 30, 2011 #8
    kesali

    kesali Chillin' With My Peeps

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    far northern Wisconsin
    Very sorry to hear about your loss. I think everyone on BYC has learned some lesson the hard way. It goes with life. I am pleased that you had respect for your chickens and buried them. Most people where I am often toss them into the woods and let the predators deal with them. I think it is quite stupid because all it does is draw predators to where your live chickens are. Good luck with the new ones you are raising!
     
  17. Jun 30, 2011 #9
    chicktwins

    chicktwins Chillin' With My Peeps

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    So sorry about your loss!! Please don't be so hard on yourself. Your health has to come first as harsh a reality as that is and sometimes we just can't be everything to everybody all the time. It is sad but you learned a valuable lesson and that is what matters. I hope you are feeling better soon!![​IMG]
     
  19. Jun 30, 2011 #10
    Hangin Wit My Peeps

    Hangin Wit My Peeps AutumnBreezeChickens.com

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    Aww I'm SO sorry! We are getting record High temps tomorrow and this will be the hottest my birds have ever felt...we live in WI and it's VERY odd to get up past 95 but were hitting that plus tomorrow with a heat index of over 105 so Your post has made me aware that I MUST supply cold water through out the day and check to be sure everyone can get to it. I feel terrible for you [​IMG] [​IMG] Mine were up in the woods staying cool today and it only got to 81.
     
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