I have lost a chicken here on the farm. It was upsetting. We love all our chickens. Some admittedly more than others, but we still love and cherish each and every one. It is more upsetting when you loose one due to your own stupid mistake. The heat here was reaching scorching heights. On this particular day it had reached a record breaking of 38 degrees, with a humidex of 45. The animals were suffering horribly. I couldn't keep the water containers filled fast enough. So I filled a feed bucket from one of the horses stalls with water and left it out for the chickens. In the afternoon when I went to feed them, I found Minnie Mae floating dead in the bucket. Being so small I think when she somehow got on top of the bucket to drink, she either fell or got pushed in by one of the other chickens. In my brilliant idea to keep up with the water intake, I completely forgot about Minnie Mae who was the same size of week old chicks. All the other chickens had far outgrown her and she was often overlooked. Including by me. I am so so sorry, Minnie Mae. I should have done a better job at looking after you. I should have separated you from the others as I had done once before when they had pecked her beautifully forming crown off so bad she was left bleading and scalped. Poor litte Minnie Mae. I am heartbroken. Angry at myself for such a careless mistake. And so so disappointed not to be able to watch this little chick grow into the beautiful chicken she would have become.
So please watch during these hot summer days and particularly during this extreme heat wave we seem to be all suffering through, to watch your animals around the water and to make sure all water containers are not too tall for your critters and are at heights that they can easily climb out of if they do accidently fall in.
Awww. Poor Mini Mae. I know the feeling. We bought 6 this year and are down to three. One died within hours of getting her home, the other overnight and then the last one a couple of months ago due to a red fox. We love our chickens.
I am so sorry! Try not to beat yourself up too much--I always am harder on myself than I should be, so yes, I know that's easier said than done. We all make mistakes; that's just how we learn. I know I've made my fair share. When we work this closely with animals, it's bound to happen.
I found your website through Skoog Farm -- how have I missed it before?? Your farm is so much like ours in its mix of animals. We've lost chickens to the heat and the cold -- and you always feel badly.
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I live a very simple life on a small hobby farm along with my husband, three kids, and an assortment of animals. Life may be simple but I love every minute of it.