Some of my chickens died. (sad post)

[iecorzu]

I had bought seven chickens originally, one cuckoo maran rooster, one Bielefelder hen, and five isa browns, all just a day old. this was June 9 last year; they have all been very happy. I had some scary run-ins with hawks, but never any deaths or anything like that. Sometimes, my dad would let them have free range, and I would spend the hour bringing them all back to their coop. (I learned a trick yesterday: use bread.) at the end of June this year, the Bielefelder raised eggs from the whole coop and got eight babies. when the summer started, I moved out temporarily (I'm 14, and it was just to my aunt's house) because my dad is kind of an abuser to my entire family, and I was done with him. turns out that was a terrible mistake. When I came back, there were only five new chicks out of the original 8. One died, they found the body, and two others are missing. I can't believe this. I can't believe nobody ran any headcounts while I was gone. I was the primary caretaker of the chickens, but my mom said my dad was taking care of them. now I feel awful because I let my own chickens die just because my dad hit me a little bit. I'm actually devastated. I can't believe this happened. none of my chickens ever died, I always took good care of them. now I feel like I should never have left or done something I don't know. (my dad also regularly let the chickens out; I always told him not to, but I guess when he did that, some chickens snuck out of my yard and got taken. I really can't believe this happened.

 

[tlcmurphy]

I had bought seven chickens originally, one cuckoo maran rooster, one Bielefelder hen, and five isa browns, all just a day old. this was June 9 last year; they have all been very happy. I had some scary run-ins with hawks, but never any deaths or anything like that. Sometimes, my dad would let them have free range, and I would spend the hour bringing them all back to their coop. (I learned a trick yesterday: use bread.) at the end of June this year, the Bielefelder raised eggs from the whole coop and got eight babies. when the summer started, I moved out temporarily (I'm 14, and it was just to my aunt's house) because my dad is kind of an abuser to my entire family, and I was done with him. turns out that was a terrible mistake. When I came back, there were only five new chicks out of the original 8. One died, they found the body, and two others are missing. I can't believe this. I can't believe nobody ran any headcounts while I was gone. I was the primary caretaker of the chickens, but my mom said my dad was taking care of them. now I feel awful because I let my own chickens die just because my dad hit me a little bit. I'm actually devastated. I can't believe this happened. none of my chickens ever died, I always took good care of them. now I feel like I should never have left or done something I don't know. (my dad also regularly let the chickens out; I always told him not to, but I guess when he did that, some chickens snuck out of my yard and got taken. I really can't believe this happened.

First and foremost, there’s nothing acceptable with “Being hit a little bit”. That’s abuse, pure and simple. I’m sorry you had to move out, but it was the right thing to do.
I’m very sorry about your chickens. Can your Mom take care of them instead of your Dad? Sounds like they shouldn’t be let out due to predators. Can you move them to your Aunt’s?
This is not your fault

 

[iecorzu]

First and foremost, there’s nothing acceptable with “Being hit a little bit”. That’s abuse, pure and simple. I’m sorry you had to move out, but it was the right thing to do.
I’m very sorry about your chickens. Can your Mom take care of them instead of your Dad? Sounds like they shouldn’t be let out due to predators. Can you move them to your Aunt’s?
This is not your fault

thanks so much for your reply. I actually moved back since my mom was really sad without me, but from now on, I'm going to check on them every day and do a headcount in the afternoon. if the door is open, I will make sure everyone knows I will be an angry guy. I'm thinking of getting a net to set up over my yard since it isn't very big. I don't think my aunt would like to have chickens. She has a big, beautiful, trimmed yard, but I haven't asked her. the real issue was my dad let them out and then went inside and told me they would go back by themselves. clearly, some of them did not. thanks again for your reply

 

[SourRoses]

my dad is kind of an abuser to my entire family, and I was done with him. turns out that was a terrible mistake.

just because my dad hit me a little bit.

Nuh uhh. No way. That was not a mistake.
You did what you needed to do.
You are not responsible for the actions of others, especially when they are adults.
I wish for your sake you were still at your Aunts.
Understand that risking your chickens well being may be part of his abusive strategy. Many of that sort get a kick out of other people feeling upset and afraid.

Your mom wanted you to come home because she missed you, but is she considering your wellbeing? If I were you, I'd have a private conversation with your mom to find out where she would draw the line? Is she trying to protect you at all?

 

[swamphiker]

Hi there, I'm sorry for your chicken losses. It sounds like you should keep as much distance from your dad as possible. You clearly love your chickens, but please make sure to care for yourself first!

 

[iecorzu]

Nuh uhh. No way. That was not a mistake.
You did what you needed to do.
You are not responsible for the actions of others, especially when they are adults.
I wish for your sake you were still at your Aunts.
Understand that risking your chickens well being may be part of his abusive strategy. Many of that sort get a kick out of other people feeling upset and afraid.

Your mom wanted you to come home because she missed you, but is she considering your wellbeing? If I were you, I'd have a private conversation with your mom to find out where she would draw the line? Is she trying to protect you at all?

my mom actually didnt want me to come back she tried to hide her feelings but i could tell and coudln't stand it