Which BYC member scares you?

[Bonkerelli]

And today has gone from being meh to being horrible. We went outside around 3 to let our chickies free range. My sister opened the run door and they all headed out. Suddenly, our beta cockerel, Oreo, screamed and did a somersault. I thought he was just excited... Until he didn't get back up. I burst into tears and started trying to wake him up. He did, for a minute. His eyes were rolling and his beak was going. Then he screamed and floundered into a tomato plant and died in my arms a few seconds later. I am absolutely heartbroken. Does anyone have any idea what could have caused this? Did I do something wrong? I've been checking them all regularly for anything at all that could be wrong, and they have never shown any signs of trouble. I don't know what to do.

How can all of you do this? Day in and day out. Losing them again and again, and not break?

Sounds like he had a heart attack. It happens.. my folk's rooster did almost exactly what you described. Heart attacks in chickens happen very fast.

 

[Deleted member 649519]

Sounds like he had a heart attack. It happens.. my folk's rooster did almost exactly what you described. Heart attacks in chickens happen very fast.

He was only 4 months old, though. I thought I would have at least 3 years with them.

 

[Chipmunk Chicks]

I've found their employees to be the most ignorant in the industry. Not a big deal since I suspect they're just hired as cashiers but other places have people that may be helpful.
They do have comparable prices on some dog food but all their livestock and poultry feed are by far the highest priced around here.
Chicks, chicks, chicks...... they don't take very good care of them here. They definitely screw up what breeds are what and they source their chicks from the worst hatchery IMO.
Ya for me personally I can't find a reason to support them.

I agree that most of the staff is suspect. I appreciate when they will say, oh you have a chicken question? LET ME GET THE ONE PERSON WHO WORKS HERE WHO ACTUALLY HAS CHICKENS. But last time I was there I could tell the kid just wanted me to buy more chicks so he could sell me a prefab coop.

As far as feed goes, I wasn't getting mine from there anyway apart from the first couple 5lb bags. But when I came to try and get local feed 1. The closest feed store was not open when I went there, and they were supposed to be open, and also doesn't answer the phone. 2. The next feed mill I tried was... Interesting. And a hike. And still didn't really have what I was looking for. So now I have resorted to, "I know a guy who knows a guy," to get our chicken feed. It's all a bit sus, but 100lbs of feed show up on my steps and I've stopped asking questions.

 

[ValarieF]

And today has gone from being meh to being horrible. We went outside around 3 to let our chickies free range. My sister opened the run door and they all headed out. Suddenly, our beta cockerel, Oreo, screamed and did a somersault. I thought he was just excited... Until he didn't get back up. I burst into tears and started trying to wake him up. He did, for a minute. His eyes were rolling and his beak was going. Then he screamed and floundered into a tomato plant and died in my arms a few seconds later. I am absolutely heartbroken. Does anyone have any idea what could have caused this? Did I do something wrong? I've been checking them all regularly for anything at all that could be wrong, and they have never shown any signs of trouble. I don't know what to do.

How can all of you do this? Day in and day out. Losing them again and again, and not break?

I am so sorry you had to go through that and lost a feather baby; I never get over it I cry for months. The only thing I can think of is a heart issue/attack.
Ill keep you in my thoughts and your lil feather baby too he was so beautiful.

 

[Bonkerelli]

He was only 4 months old, though. I thought I would have at least 3 years with them.

Heart attacks in chickens mainly affect roosters but there are several factors that cause a heart attack. Large breed, stress, or born with a heart defect. Since he was under a year old.. makes it more likely he did. I am sorry you lost your rooster.

 

[MACCanadianCoop]

I agree that most of the staff is suspect. I appreciate when they will say, oh you have a chicken question? LET ME GET THE ONE PERSON WHO WORKS HERE WHO ACTUALLY HAS CHICKENS. But last time I was there I could tell the kid just wanted me to buy more chicks so he could sell me a prefab coop.
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As far as feed goes, I wasn't getting mine from there anyway apart from the first couple 5lb bags. But when I came to try and get local fees 1. The closest feed store was not open when I went there, and they were supposed to be open, and also doesn't answer the phone. 2. The next feed mill I tried was... Interesting. And a hike. And still didn't really have what I was looking for. So now I have resorted to, "I know a guy who knows a guy," to get our chicken feed. It's all a bit sus, but 100lbs of feed show up on my steps and I've stopped asking questions.

Having now seen a prefab in person, let me just say this

 

[MACCanadianCoop]

Soup in a coffee shop? Y'all are weird.

It gets cold up here, what can I say?

 

[MACCanadianCoop]

And today has gone from being meh to being horrible. We went outside around 3 to let our chickies free range. My sister opened the run door and they all headed out. Suddenly, our beta cockerel, Oreo, screamed and did a somersault. I thought he was just excited... Until he didn't get back up. I burst into tears and started trying to wake him up. He did, for a minute. His eyes were rolling and his beak was going. Then he screamed and floundered into a tomato plant and died in my arms a few seconds later. I am absolutely heartbroken. Does anyone have any idea what could have caused this? Did I do something wrong? I've been checking them all regularly for anything at all that could be wrong, and they have never shown any signs of trouble. I don't know what to do.

How can all of you do this? Day in and day out. Losing them again and again, and not break?

 

[Chipmunk Chicks]

He was only 4 months old, though. I thought I would have at least 3 years with them.

I'm so sorry. That sounds absolutely awful. I haven't lost a bird yet, but I feel for you.

 

[ShrekDawg]