I did not know which section to post in so just picked this one. We had had no chicken losses for quite awhile. I was feeling fortunate. Today baby ( 4 inches tall was found in duck pool) I cry as I type. She was the only chick that hatched from a whole batch. About 3 weeks ago another hen cue drowned there also. Also in between 2 hens fawn and icy have disappeared. 4 and 3 hens. I do not know what the baby was yet, but it is always hens. I love my chickens but making me so sick that i almost do not want them anymore. Too much pain. thought I would share with people on here who care like I do. I love them and do not want anymore (especially hens or my pet scissor beak) to be taken. Thank you for letting me cry.Why my mom growing up on chicken farm said they were never pets. I am way too attached. - My baby.
Sorry about your chick. And sorry so much has gone wrong with your flock recently. When they're pets it always hurts more...
I'm sorry too. I lost one as well today. I think I'm going to stop naming them. I reminded myself that they are birds and while they are mostly really hardy, they are also fragile too.
I teared up reading your situation. No, it is never easy to lose a pet- feathered and in the coop or furry and in the house. I feel for you. But do keep at it, don't give up your chickens. I too have had losses and also have had to cull my flock and it is never easy but this is "part of life". Us chickeners need all the backyard raisers to keep up awareness and the practice. This winter, go ahead and mourn and plan for your next flock. Then next spring, you go to the farm store or hatchery site and get you some more girls. It will be alright.
Maybe put some stepping stones in the duck pool to help those less web-footed to get out? Sometimes the things you feel you are doing for good backfire... Just dragged a dead squirrel out of a water storage barrel I had... There was no way he/she could get a grip on the plastic walls to get out... Must have tired out and gave up. Now I have a board in there for an escape route!
Thank you so much for all your support and kind posts. We are together in this and that helps. I just do not get that every chicken we have lost since we started with chickens has been a hen except for the baby which I do not know what it was. No roosters ever. I love the roosters, but now 4 hens and like 9 roosters left. : Thanks all.
