- Dec 8, 2011
- 88
- 1
- 33
Friday night I tucked my 5 week old chicks into bed in the garage. I had been keeping them in a large wire dog kennel, getting them used to being semi outside in anticipation of their new coop. Saturday morning I went out to find 9 of 11 had been killed by a ferret. It was horrible, I won't go in to detail but it was absolutely horrible. The little b@stard was still there and scurried to hide when I went after it with a rake. I called the police because I thought I may have a rabid animal on my hands as it didn't flee the scene like a wild animal would. As he was talking my info, it walked out of the garage, I think up to that time the officer thought I was a bit nuts. This thing was so tame it walked right into the box I had put down and the officer was able to take it with him. I have yet to hear back but I'll probably call today.
Bottom line, someone either lost their pet or more likely released it thinking it would be able to rekindle it's wildness. I cannot believe someone would be so irresponsible to do this. The man down the road lost a flock of bantams not long ago, I need to speak to him because the attacks might be related.
I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I had to deal with this type of predator. Coons, coyotes, possoms, hawks, no problem. I've prepared for that but not for something that isn't supposed to be there in the first place.
I'm so upset. The two pullets that are still living sustained seemingly superficial wounds to their head/neck areas, one may have lost an eye. But they are not acting right, although they are much better than they were Saturday. They seem to have suffered severe emotional trauma that has affected them physically.
Has anyone had success nursing back young hens from such an experience? Do they have a chance of a normal life?
Bottom line, someone either lost their pet or more likely released it thinking it would be able to rekindle it's wildness. I cannot believe someone would be so irresponsible to do this. The man down the road lost a flock of bantams not long ago, I need to speak to him because the attacks might be related.
I never in my wildest dreams would have thought I had to deal with this type of predator. Coons, coyotes, possoms, hawks, no problem. I've prepared for that but not for something that isn't supposed to be there in the first place.
I'm so upset. The two pullets that are still living sustained seemingly superficial wounds to their head/neck areas, one may have lost an eye. But they are not acting right, although they are much better than they were Saturday. They seem to have suffered severe emotional trauma that has affected them physically.
Has anyone had success nursing back young hens from such an experience? Do they have a chance of a normal life?
