A while back, about 3 or 4 months ago I incubated some eggs I had received at a local plant swap, (yes someone brought 2 dozen eggs, and I swooped them up ) LOL along with some of my own eggs, and they were growing up so nicely, and such colorful chicks, Well, today, I checked the chickens and chicks, both were out running about in the back yard, and I left to go pick up my son and when we got back, there were l0 dead chicks out inthe yard and in the chicken pen, nothing missing off the hens, they look like they had been maulled to death, all wet from the rain, not eaten though, I think either the big hens or roosters killed them while I was gone. I'm jus t sick about it. They were doing so good and looked so healthy. I have let them all out at the same time several times in the past and no fighting amongst the big ones and little ones, their in two seperate pens and sleep seperately as well. but during the day sometimes I let them all out to run about. I really don't think anything else killed them, but man, I just don't understand why they waited till I left to do this. I had checked on them right before I left, and they were all out there and fine.
Anyways, I'm going to try to incubate some more eggs, I hate to do it so late, but want chickens big enough to lay by spring or early summer instead of fall of next year.
I know there was a post somewhere where they listed places to buy chicks, anybody have any good choices of where to buy chicks at? and do you think they'll deliver this time of year? probably not ha?
kathy
Dead chicks today
I don't know enough about the chickens to know why that happened...but I'm sorry to hear it. Good luck with the next bunch of little ones....
So sorry, kathy_ann. That's hard to take. I know the thread you're talking about. If I can find it I'll link it here.
edited to add:
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/661625/ -- this is it -- look a little farther than halfway down the page. It's a hyperlink from cottage rose, I believe.
This message was edited Nov 29, 2006 3:22 PM
kathy ann;
i know how you feel.....I came home to find 18 dead chickens Monday and then 5 more yesterday. Turns out it was some stray dogs killing mine, didn't eat them, just killed them for the fun of it. This wiped out about a third of my flock, danged dogs.
It gets frustrating at times.
Keith
OH man keith, I hate that for you, it's very frustrating, their isn't anything better than a dead chicken killing dog LOL
kathy
Try http://www.ideal-poultry.com 254-697-6677 or www.mcmurrayhatchery.com Take care, Mike