Saturday, March 19, 2011
First losses
Well, we had our first critter losses. It wasn't quite as bad as the Henderson Massacre, Paula, but the Henry massacre was still pretty awful. My stupid dog knocked down the barrier to the chick room, jumped in the tub, and killed/maimed 5 of our 6 new chicks in about 3 1/2 seconds. We had to finish two of them ourselves because they so weren't going to survive. :( It was heartbreaking, both from losing those tiny little babies, and having to get after my dog. I'm more than a little traumatized. The only one left is a barred rock who came away completely unscathed. We went out today and got replacements, including ameraucana, wyandotte, rhode island red, welsummer, and jersey giant. (I probably misspelled most of those, but I really don't care at the moment...) In any case, LJ and I wanted more of a variety, and the mix of new babies has cheered both of us a little. We're hoping to get the coop finished this weekend and get the Golden Girls (the buffs) moved to the coop. Once that is done, we can move the new babies into the big brooder, which is much more secure/Henry proof than the tub they're currently in. Heck of a start to the weekend...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
7 comments:
oh Rae, I'm so sorry. Whaddya do when the perp is your very own baby? I'm really sorry.
I'm glad that you guys got right back up on that horse and got new chicks, and I think a variety was a good idea. I think you spelled everything right anyway.
Good luck getting the coop finished quickly.
Thanks Paula. I knew something like that was going to happen someday, and that he was totally lying about just wanting to sniff them. Ugh. What a mess. We've definitely fortified the barriers to the entryway. If he tries it again, we should hear him before he can get through.
We have soooo many stinkin chickens now. It's a good thing that I've come to like the little buggers. We got the coop moved into position, but it is not quite finished. If we can get a couple clear days this week, we'll get the roosts in and paint it. We're shooting for getting the Golden Girls in there next weekend. *fingers crossed* The girls are a month old, and they are getting a bit cramped in their current home. I'm also anxious to get the little ones into the larger and more secure brooder, and out of the tub they're currently in. Definitely running a hotwire around the chicken pen. Most definitely. :)
How sad. I'm also glad to see that you got 'replacements'. Sounds like a good crew! Unfortunately I think I am going to come home to a dead Jersey Giant tonight after class. She had an impacted crop. We thought we had it emptied and her eating again, but this morning she was really lethargic. I didn't know what to do for her. Who knows, maybe she perked up today. I'm not really getting my hopes up though.
Can't wait to see these new little peeps of yours!
Sorry to hear about your Jersey, Rachael. Last I read, it seemed that she was doing better. I've got my fingers crossed that you had a perky hen when you got home.
I'm hoping to get some pics of the Golden Girls and the new babies up this weekend. The new ones are awfully cute.
I'm just catching up on your news, and am so sad to read about your chicks. I can appreciate how rotten you must have felt - it was a hard day for us when our beloved Frankie uncovered a nest of baby rabbits and ran off chewing on a naked little bunny... Good for you for starting again right away - from my limited experience there's nothing in the world like watching baby chicks to make you feel better about just about anything!
Thanks Miriam. I agree that the fluffy little babies are quite good for lifting my spirits. There is one thing better, though... Baby geese. We just got 3 yesterday, and they are fluffy little sweethearts that screech to be held. They're extra protected from the pups, in a tub inside a locked dog crate. :) Taking no chances there!
Our 2 boxers used to chase our chickens but they've learned to leave them alone - so it can be done. My dogs have killed cats before and a duck so I promise you it's possible to train them. It's now been a few years since they've killed an animal I didn't want them to and they've had every opportunity. They completely ignore chickens now even though they walk right past their noses.
Post a Comment