Monday, December 13, 2010

Is there a chicken heaven?.....

Today is a sad day here at the homestead. I was greeted by a most unpleasant sight this morning in the chicken coop.

It seems it was not as predator proof as we had thought.

One dead and partially eaten.
One in serious condition.

Today was the day that we had to do "the deed".

If there is a chicken heaven, these girls deserve it.

We, as homesteader's are not feeling too good about ourselves. I know it is a lesson to learn, and we honestly still can't figure it out totally, but, it was at the expense of a life.

I didn't hear a thing.

We've re-checked everything and have added some other measures for making the coop more secure for the remaining three girls left. Let's hope it's enough.

What a sad, sad day....


9 comments:

  1. Don't be too hard on yourselves, Toni. I've been doing a lot of reading toward the time when we will be retired homesteaders.
    And from what I've read, this happens to everyone.
    I know that doesn't really help you feel better, but just know that it happens.

    *hugs* ♥

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  2. We never knew there were as many predators as there are until we started raising chickens. They can be quite determined. I'm sorry you had to go through this, but the above comment is right. It is very common. Very sad too.

    From what little bit you said I'd say it may have been a possum or a raccoon. We have found some relief from having electric poultry fencing around the outside perimeter. It runs on a marine battery. Just a thought.

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  3. We've just been waiting for this to happen to us. Our next-door neighbours have a much more secure coop, and regularly lose chickens to predators (raccoons and maybe mink?). They have stopped keeping ducks because they can't keep them safe. Oh, it's rotten, and I can only imagine how you feel. All you can do is your best.

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  4. So sorry to hear of your sad news Toni. I hope all goes well tonight.

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  5. This is so sad, Toni, and I'm sorry!
    A year ago a friend of mine lost her chicken to a fox. Sometimes this happens, even though you do your best to protect them.
    I hope all goes well tonight.

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  6. Oh dear what was it ? ... a fox perhaps? Don't know what sort of predator you have there. People here go to great lengths to keep foxes out ( they are an introduced species here) but they often still get in and kill every chicken then leave. You wouldn't mind quite as much if they ate them but the don't.
    Cheers
    Helen

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  7. Thanks for the kind words, everyone. We're still not sure, but, I'm going with raccoon and hubsters thinks it's the feral cat that's been hanging around here for the past 2 years.

    We'll never know and I know predation is the risk that comes with any type of livestock, but, I still hate to see any animal suffer and the one was suffering.

    Comes with the territory, s'pose...

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  8. One day we went out to our coop to find a similar problem...a chick torn from head to tail...We were so scared, but my sister recommended bluekote! She is now at the top of the pecking order! Good luck with your girls.

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  9. How very sad! Sending hugs and best of luck with your remaining chickens.

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