Very sad and mad at my stupid chickens!

[cemcnair]

I was so excited, these were my first chicks hatched by one of my own. She sat on 4 eggs for 20 days and 3 hatched on July 5. The black one was my favorite, very hyper right from the beginning. Then, on Wed I went out and the bright yellow one was smashed (they are in the same coop as the rest of my chickens). Friday, the black one was pecked to death.

So, only the tan one remains, and I have sectioned off part of the coop for her and Momma, but they keep escaping. I guess my next broody will have to live in my laundry room until the chicks are bigger....

 

[annek]

Are the babies just going through the wire mesh? If so, just put something over the mesh that is smaller. You could use a towel hung over the sides, some plastic poultry mesh, or even bird netting, just something smaller. So sorry for your loss, what a terrible thing to have happen, it would make me sick.

 

[cemcnair]

Yep, they fit right through. I was worried about the cage being too small too. It was fine for Momma when sitting on eggs, but now she wants to show off and EAT lots of food. I think the showing off was a bad idea on her part. The other chickens just thought it was a new fun moving piece of food...

 

[b.hromada]

Awwww, thats terrible. Unfortunately chickens can do things like this. Wish I knew why these things happen.

 

[thewarriorchild]

I hate it when that happens.

 

[annek]

If you can afford a different cage I found the ones at TSC work great for brooders. They are rabbit cages and I think the largest is 4x3 and is fully wired. I kept the lid loose so I could access for cleaning but did keep it on to keep my chicks from flying out. The mesh is very small and they couldn't get out. I also was able to expand it by buying another one and just dropping one of the sides down on each and joining together. They cost I think from around 20.00 to 35.00 for the largest but don't quote me.

Again, so sorry. Sometimes things happen, she will have more chicks and you will be better prepared the next time.

 

[Chickenmaven]

I am so sorry to hear this. We had a very similar situation, only our broody area had a door that popped open. Two chicks were consumed - one in front of my daughter.
I am so sorry. Maybe next time, tie some plastic netting to the dog crate(?) Anyway, these things happen & it is pretty terrible.