they're all dead, all 11

[dewey]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It's an awful thing to experience and just heartbreaking to go through.

 

[gogoalie]

"What do i even do?" Only one thing to do...learn from your mistake...& rebuild your flock.

 

[poseygrace]

I am so sorry for your loss. I had 9 chicks that a dog killed a couple of months ago. I had them free-ranging while I was watching them, and a dog got to them and wreaked havoc before I could get to them. (I was working in the garden 50 ft or so away). I bawled my eyes out for two days. The only thing that made me feel better was to get new ones... it's the best medicine for sure. I couldn't bear to start over with new chicks, so I got some 12 week old pullets. That was easier, and I didn't have to worry about them being SO defenseless. Good luck...

 

[tiffanyg2]

I'm so sorry for your loss.... sending hugs

I never realized how many predators there are for our chickens until reading through this forum. Take it one day at a time and when your ready build a coop that is protected and buy some more sweethearts to love on.

 

[Jencleg]

Bless your heart! I just went through this same thing on Tuesday. I lost (5) of my (6) 7 week old silkies. Mine was strickly human error which made it even harder. I am so very sorry

Hope you feel better soon!!

 

[jjthink]

Heartbreaking - so sorry...
Impenetrable Fortress - Fort Knox - seems the only way to prevent suffering and heartache. No doubt there are many cases where folks in good conscience think they've provided protection only to find out the preds break through................

JJ

 

[speckledhen]

What the hell could have gotten over a 5 ft fence and then into the pen.

Just about anything-raccoons, opossums, rats, fox, coyotes, dogs, bobcats, etc, etc. You must lock them in a building or have a predator proof pen (well, predator-resistant, since nothing is really predator-proof)
'​

 

[darkmatter]

If you're going to raise chickens, you're going to learn all the varieties of predators that live in your area. You'll find critters you never knew existed in your area.

 

[Chew593]

I've lost all my chicks on a couple occasions (mostly to my own shifty dogs) so we built the MOARC. (Mother of all Runs & Coops) I have a video posted on Youtube that I made for a friend who also lost her whole flock to her family dog. Since the video we've added another layer of hardware cloth to the base, and have reinforced the exterior layer of chicken wire to accomodate for tree growth.
Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFhUUwIDe70
At 5:25 I talk about the footing that we made with concrete and buried chicken wire, and that has made all the difference. We haven't lost a chicken to a predator since we built this run.
ETA: I'm sorry this happen to you, but don't let it discourage you too much. I almost gave up, but I've had a healthy flock for almost 2 years and I get such joy from them.

 

[hispoptart]

So sorry you lost your babies. Everyone has already given great advice.