The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[potagergirl]

I lost one of my boys today. All of my birds are 8 weeks old today in fact. I had started opening the gate in the afternoons to let them free range last week. They would come out and peck around
the corn crib that is there home and go back in to rest and peck around inside. They never strayed away from the outskirts of the crib and they didn't today either I saw it, the cat went up to the corn crib door and the five roos retaliated. I thought it was over but the cat came back when I didn't realize it and my second strongest roo (honestly 8 weeks how strong can a defenseless roo be) was killed. Hubby saw the cat taking off with my bird and scared it away he closed the chickens in the crib then went and got the shot gun. Can you believe that stupid cat was sitting outside the corn crib door watching all the chickens inside? Hubby made a clean shot but in the end I've lost a boy and it saddens my heart to have lost him like that.
I know we all poke fun at the chicken math but sometimes reality stinks and that puffy ball of fuzz we got in the beginning becomes a beautiful bird before our eyes and life is taken from it.
It is one thing if the life is given to sustain us but it really stinks when a predator who has no right to take it does. The roo in question happened to be one that I had planned on keeping and well plans change. I have another bird to replace and with my luck I'm thinking I might need 5 for that one roo.

 

[Kassaundra]

First of all your son has awesome taste! I could tell the ones he named



I think Rhonda is a girl about to start laying, but I don't have a lot of experience w/ that breed

 

[fallenangel79]

so cute

 

[lalaland]

I lost one of my boys today. All of my birds are 8 weeks old today in fact. I had started opening the gate in the afternoons to let them free range last week. They would come out and peck around
the corn crib that is there home and go back in to rest and peck around inside. They never strayed away from the outskirts of the crib and they didn't today either I saw it, the cat went up to the corn crib door and the five roos retaliated. I thought it was over but the cat came back when I didn't realize it and my second strongest roo (honestly 8 weeks how strong can a defenseless roo be) was killed. Hubby saw the cat taking off with my bird and scared it away he closed the chickens in the crib then went and got the shot gun. Can you believe that stupid cat was sitting outside the corn crib door watching all the chickens inside? Hubby made a clean shot but in the end I've lost a boy and it saddens my heart to have lost him like that.
I know we all poke fun at the chicken math but sometimes reality stinks and that puffy ball of fuzz we got in the beginning becomes a beautiful bird before our eyes and life is taken from it.
It is one thing if the life is given to sustain us but it really stinks when a predator who has no right to take it does. The roo in question happened to be one that I had planned on keeping and well plans change. I have another bird to replace and with my luck I'm thinking I might need 5 for that one roo.

thats hard! I have feral cats around here and they have never bothered my chickens or young ones....I'm sad for you, the roo, and even the cat. Life is tough.

 

[Leahs Mom]

@potagergirl
That's very frustrating. Was this cat a regular house cat or was it a more "wild" species?

 

[flyladyrocks]

I lost one of my boys today. All of my birds are 8 weeks old today in fact. I had started opening the gate in the afternoons to let them free range last week. They would come out and peck around
the corn crib that is there home and go back in to rest and peck around inside. They never strayed away from the outskirts of the crib and they didn't today either I saw it, the cat went up to the corn crib door and the five roos retaliated. I thought it was over but the cat came back when I didn't realize it and my second strongest roo (honestly 8 weeks how strong can a defenseless roo be) was killed. Hubby saw the cat taking off with my bird and scared it away he closed the chickens in the crib then went and got the shot gun. Can you believe that stupid cat was sitting outside the corn crib door watching all the chickens inside? Hubby made a clean shot but in the end I've lost a boy and it saddens my heart to have lost him like that.
I know we all poke fun at the chicken math but sometimes reality stinks and that puffy ball of fuzz we got in the beginning becomes a beautiful bird before our eyes and life is taken from it.
It is one thing if the life is given to sustain us but it really stinks when a predator who has no right to take it does. The roo in question happened to be one that I had planned on keeping and well plans change. I have another bird to replace and with my luck I'm thinking I might need 5 for that one roo.

 

[potagergirl]

@potagergirl
That's very frustrating. Was this cat a regular house cat or was it a more "wild" species?

it was a wild cat. We have only recently moved to the property after a year of renovations. I've watched a white cat with a collar run around close to the wooded tree line but it never paid attention or went close to the chickens in the crib. The dark striped cat was a first time visitor from what I could tell. At first he poked around in my garden looking for rabbits I suspect, that's why I was keeping a close eye on the chickens. I should have known gathering them back inside would have been the best choice but hind sight is most always better. Hubby asked me how come I didn't put them in and I held up my 4 month old grandson "I was feeding this critter here."
I can't wait until the keets are big enough to sound the alarm when a predator is in the yard.

 

[flyladyrocks]

First of all your son has awesome taste! I could tell the ones he named



I think Rhonda is a girl about to start laying, but I don't have a lot of experience w/ that breed

 

[Kassaundra]

Perfect name for a frizzle!!!!

 

[Kassaundra]

Perfect name for a frizzle!!!!

Even better a frizzled NN, since she loved to dress sexy!