Struggling with learning curve and early losses

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MamaHouston

MamaHouston

Hatching
Jul 12, 2015
3
0
7
We bought eight chicks at our local farm store - a mix of sex links, RI Reds, brahma, and orpington. We kept them all alive as chicks in the house for eight weeks then transitioned them outside to a coop and run. We lost our first pullet at ten weeks when a hawk tried to pull her out of the run. The run's walls are chain link so we re-enfored with hardware cloth. Last week we were out with the girls (we let them free range about 2-3 hours a day when we are out working in the garden or playing in the yard) we rounded them up in the evening and one was missing. Never heard anything or saw anything. Still haven't found any remains. NOW I have one black sex link who has a swollen eye lid. No puss, no visible injury, she is still eating and drinking but she is holding back from the rest of the flock a little. The other girls aren't bothering her as she is one of our larger pullets but I'm freaking out that it is a viral disease and we are headed on vacation in a week and leaving the chickens under the watchful eye of a neighborhood kid who has chickens at home as well. Trying not to feel totally discouraged in my attempts to keep chickens alive....
 
I'm sorry to hear about the losses.
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Even after years chicks are still lost to predators and disease. I hope this helps: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/601182/chickens-with-swollen-eyes


Best of luck!
 
Welcome to BYC!

I'm so sorry to hear your having a tough time with the transition to outside living. Unfortunately, losses can happen to anyone...some we can prevent and some we can't. Keep learning and asking questions, don't give up...keeping chickens can be so rewarding and you'll get there.

It's nice to have you here, good luck to you!
 

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