Utah!

[corvidae]

Alright, I've had it. I'll never get any more birds, because whenever I do, someone else dies.

I was letting my two teenager chicks run around out back for a little while today, like I've been doing since I got them to my house. Usually I sit out there with them because I'm a protective mommy, but today I was doing other things and settled for checking on them now and then. Well, I forgot about them for a couple of hours, and when I checked on them just now, something killed both my girls. I've had them since they were babies and now they're gone

I am so mad that I left them alone and just assumed that they'd be okay free ranging in the yard. I should have gotten a run done sooner and I should have been out there with them. I was so happy to have them around. I didn't think I took such bad care of animals, but I've lost so many chickens this year, I'm sick.

Nah, you aren't a bad chicken mommy-- we've all probably had moment like this. Last year my boys left the coop open and took our beautiful German shepherd for a walk. When they came back around the block, they saw their Welsummers up on the fence and ran back to get the chickens back in the coop. *With* the dog. Didn't take but 3 seconds for that dog to grab one of the Welsummers and shake it dead right in front of the boys. I got back there fast enough to stop him from getting any more of them, but my middle son was just heart broken that he had let the dogs kill one of his darlings. It's one of those really horrifying learning moments in life, and I feel for you. I'm so sorry you had to go through this. you tried to give your babies a little freedom and happiness and something has to come along and get them.

 

[RedIII]

X's 2 You said it perfect Brad! I was just going to post those suggestions..get her off of that med. feed!! And yes, she should loove the plain yogurt. Not the ones with the fruit in it, they get more of the pro biotic in the plain. Bet she clears up pretty quick after getting her on reg. chick food. But, if she doesn't, I would be for separating her from your others. I know..sad.

Thanks, both Cynthia and birdman. I will be going first thing tomorrow morning to get some non-medicated feed so that I can switch them off of it. I guess if the problem gets worse after that, I will have to try something else.

Cynthia, yes, I've had her since she was about 2-3 days old. She has had no exposure to any other animal except for other healthy chicks. None of my others have this problem, at least not so far as I can tell. I will be keeping an eye on them tomorrow to see if anyone else has a wicked case of "business".

And corvidae, thank you. I've definitely learned from this experience.

 

[Sphinx]

I'm so sorry for your loss Red.

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Red, you have really had more than your share this year Your buff is super cute.....Peach....she will make you feel better! So sorry to hear about the others. It is so hard to lose one!

 

[Cynthia12]

Red...

 

[RedIII]

Thank you everyone, both for your kind words and thoughts. I felt a little bad getting on here to vent, but really, you are my chicken buddies and I so bad needed to just vent a bit.

Thanks Lisa. Yes, Peach makes my heart go soft just looking at her and listening to her tiny little peeping. I've wanted a BO for a while, and I finally got her. I will sit out by the brooder and beat off anyone who comes near enough to threaten my babies, if I have to, lol (not really, but you get the idea)

 

[SashaT]

Hi! My name is Sasha and my family and I live in Hyrum. My husband and I have two teenage daughters. We have only been living here a few months; my husband retired after over 23 years in the Army. We decided to move to the Cache Valley area because I have family here and it's not too far away from some of my husband's family (Provo, PG, Sandy areas mostly). We bought my great-grandparents old farmstead. The house is 97 years old and we are remodeling. It's tons of work but will be so worth it.

On to the important stuff! ... We have 2 Whippets, an Italian Greyhound, (I do show and compete with the Whippets) 1 Bengal cat, a 2 year old filly that I'll start training this spring, about 35 African Cichlids, and as of 2 weeks ago, 8 chicks and 2 ducklings! We picked up the chicks from the IFA in Ogden. They are suppose to be all pullets, but I'm 99% sure one is a roo. We have 3 Golden Laced Wyandottes, 3 Silver Laced Wyandottes (one of which is the roo) and 2 "Bantam Ameraucanas". I do not believe the Ameraucanas are purebred, but I love them anyway. April 5th I will be going back down to the IFA to pick up 3 red Frizzle chicks. Exciting! I'm on the lookout for Wheaten/blue wheaten Ameraucanas (not EEs) and also Bantam Golden Laced Wyandottes. I'm already SO addicted to these little feathered buggers! I'm hoping I will be to channel some of my great-grandparents chicken sense, as they raised chickens for years and years, having as many as 1,200 at one point! I have an old newspaper cut out that the Herald Journal did on my grandpa. Way cool. I don't want to get out of control, so I think no more than 20 chickens at one time-wish me luck! LOL!
I'm thrilled that I've found BYC. I've learned so much in so little time, and can't wait to learn more!

Sasha

 

[PoultryPedia]

Red--
If a chick has coccidiosis to the point of bloody poop, I'm thinking treatment requires a coccidiostat med (such as Corid or Sulfadimethoxine) at a high level (rather than the level in medicated chick starter) ASAP to have a possibility of saving a chick. Please pardon if I'm actually wrong, or if someone else already said this.

I'm sorry you lost your hens.

Your little buff orpington is adorable!

 

[La Casa de Pollo]

Hi Sasha!!! Especially welcome to you, I am from Logan, so it is good to see someone on here that is close. I am hatching wheaten ameracaunas, FCBM, and purebred blue orps in a few weeks, purebred from an excellent breeder in Idaho. I will let you know when they are available in case you may want one. Crossing fingers that I do not mess the hatch up

Oh BTW no more than 20 = 40 in chicken math lol!

Good Morning friends! The sun is back, the wind is gone (stay gone please!)It is going to be a great day!

 

[Sphinx]

Speckled Hills is very wise. I would trust her opinion on anything chickens. I know nothing about bloody poop- I've been very blessed that my chickens have never had disease.

Sasha,

!!! Your project sounds so fun and so exciting! I love remodeling, and old farmhouses, so I really hope you share before and after pictures. Congrats on the chicks- IFA is definitely better than Cal Ranch in Ogden. I'd love to see pictures of your babies, especially the suspected roo.

I really need to go to the feed store- I'm almost out of feed and I am completely out of shavings. With babies hatching next week, I need more. I'm terrified to go though- all those chicks may just prove too tempting. Especially since they would be (mostly) sexed, so none of this gambling straight run stuff.