Ready to Quit

Flashfire · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2014 11:16 am

I have been hobby caring for chickens for about 4 years. It's been fun and rewarding and I have learned a bit about chickens, but I feel it's time to quit.

After snakes, local Labrador, dingoes, wild dogs, foxes and eagles. I have come to the firm conclusion that everything kills chickens and there is no real way of protecting them. The latest attack by whatever it was as I have no idea has left my rooster with all his tail feathers ripped out, one chicken totally missing presumed dead and the other chicken seriously injured to the point where I don't think she will survive because although I had her and was examining the damage to her, which was horrific, she managed to get away from me and went bush. I have lost at least 12 chickens over the past 4 years

It's just to heartbreaking. I look at my darling little chicks and all I can think of is they are just the next generation of prey for everything that kills.

Joh · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2014 1:31 pm

Please stick with it its not all bad you will go through a bad patch like we all do but the good times are just around the corner

Bill · **Posted:** Mon Mar 03, 2014 1:33 pm

Maybe take a short break and see how you feel then

We all go through what you have and the feelings but there is much good from the hobby

Flashfire · **Posted:** Tue Mar 04, 2014 6:22 am

Following on from that, will my rooster grow his tail feathers back? He looks weird, with just one long feather left.

PoultryDan · **Posted:** Tue Mar 04, 2014 8:57 am

Hey Flashfire, so sorry to hear of all the challenges you face. Terrible when your chooks are injured or killed by other animals

You are right. they certainly are on the bottom of the food chain and at times, it does seem like everything is out to get them. It's a lot of time, effort and $$$ to keep them happy and safe but I think the joy people get from keeping them, far out weighs the negative aspects.

Your rooster will get his feather back eventually. As bill said, maybe take some time out, take a deep breath and see how you feel later. Sorry to hear about your chooks.

Katy · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:30 am

I hope you stay with it they are so rewarding to our lives

Bobkat · **Posted:** Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:22 am

I feel so bad for you. Heartbreaking, I am sure. When you feel more positive about it, perhaps you might consider changing your set-up? My husband really thought I was over-engineering our coop and run design, but it has given me such peace of mind. We have done this:

- coop and permanent run protected on six sides (including all the way under the sand floor) with thick gauge snake and mice proof wire mesh. It is high enough to stand in for cleaning, and keeps everything but slugs out. We also used it on the roof and then covered the coop with corrugated iron and the run with clear PVC sheets to keep it drier.

- then there is a garden run, protected with chicken wire, which is only designed to keep my two Bengal cats out - they were harassing the chickens. So they get this area as "small free-range" - still can have a dust bath in the sun, scratch the dirt etc. Each evening I shut them away in the permament coop and run.

It cost us in money and effort - but I consider it well worth it. Maybe you might have fewer chickens in such a setup - but you would lose fewer to predators. Some people get a Maremma or similar guardian dog.

Just some things to ponder - hopefully whilst your Chicken Mojo returns. Wishing you all the best.

Cordelia · **Posted:** Thu Mar 06, 2014 7:29 pm

Please stick with them they are well worth it in the long run

duckie · **Posted:** Sat Mar 08, 2014 2:05 pm

I too had a neighbours dogs marauding in my yard.
I lost approx 20 ducks and 5 2mth old ducklings in that amount. I also lost a very much loved gander named Duke to the dogs.
I got my fence up and now have to contend with eagles, hawks and foxes.
I lost a few more to foxes and my maremma free ranges at night in the run which is about 1/4 acre with the dam.
I still lose the odd one but not as bad.
My chooks and ducks are locked up at night in their respective pens and the geese free range in our part of the yard at night. I am sure they feel safer that way.
Please take a deep breath and have a break if you need to.
Keep what birds you have left safe and see what you can do to make it more secure for them.
I know...like most...how the $$$ seem to be a bit scary, but the eggs and the manure for your garden and with the way chooks make you feel needed far outweighs the constant battle.

I am one of the lucky ones in that birds of prey and foxes I battle with don't seem to rate with what you have gone through, but I have had chooks ducks and geese for many years and wouldn't have it any other way. Even when I get a bit jaded with it all.
I also don't have trouble with rats, lizards and snakes like a lot of you do.
So keep your chin up and see what the next few weeks or months bring you.
We all feel for you and do so hope that you continue on.

Sorry if I am a bit long winded, just hate to know what others go through and not be able to help.

Katy · **Posted:** Mon Mar 10, 2014 6:40 am

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