Ribh's D'Coopage

[Ribh]

This keeping chickens business, it's not as easy as some would have us believe.
It takes time in my experience to get things right for them and us. Bear in mind there were five years of Catalonia for me before I started posting here and most of the horror stories and the deaths aren't recorded on BYC.
I don't know the right word for what one needs, maybe there isn't one. A degree of detachment is the best I can think of that describes what one needs and hopefully learns over time.

Agree. The mums certainly have detachment & to spare. I was doing ok, initially. I did expect to lose some but they were doing so well & I was starting to be hopeful they'd make it. Now...I really don't think the last chick will make it either.

 

[Ribh]

Oh no! So sorry @Ribh.
These chicken creatures sure do excel at turning up their toes and departing.

Yep. Given time & distance I'll probably gird my loins & try again but I do think I need a maternity coop before that happens.

 

[RoyalChick]

Yep. Given time & distance I'll probably gird my loins & try again but I do think I need a maternity coop before that happens.

 

[MaryJanet]

I am down to one chick & the other isn't looking too crash hot either. No idea. I have got some multi vitamin into her & treated for mites but I am not hopeful. The mums don't seem concerned but with this lot that's not a good indicator. Not sure I could do this again. This is heartbreaking.

So sorry.

 

[MaryJanet]

This keeping chickens business, it's not as easy as some would have us believe.

This point cannot be emphasised enough.

It seems so easy when you read about other people's broodies and chicks.

 

[MaryJanet]

Yep. Given time & distance I'll probably gird my loins & try again but I do think I need a maternity coop before that happens.

It couldn't hurt and it might help.

In time the environment might become a little safer. I'm thinking you haven't been there long and we don't really know if any toxins were used in your backyard by the previous owner.

 

[LozzyR]

I am down to one chick & the other isn't looking too crash hot either. No idea. I have got some multi vitamin into her & treated for mites but I am not hopeful. The mums don't seem concerned but with this lot that's not a good indicator. Not sure I could do this again. This is heartbreaking.

 

[BY Bob]

For those interested:
Nightjars have forward facing eyes that don't reflect the light, but unlike nightjars frogmouths build a nest. Owls are raptors. Frogmouths, like nightjars, catch things with their beaks. They have weak feet. They mate for life & both adults raise the young. The male incubates any eggs during the day & the pair share this duty @ night. This is why there are 3 in the tree.

So cool!

 

[BY Bob]

I am down to one chick & the other isn't looking too crash hot either. No idea. I have got some multi vitamin into her & treated for mites but I am not hopeful. The mums don't seem concerned but with this lot that's not a good indicator. Not sure I could do this again. This is heartbreaking.

Oh no!

 

[Ribh]

In time the environment might become a little safer. I'm thinking you haven't been there long and we don't really know if any toxins were used in your backyard by the previous owner.

I haven't found much metal in the yard but plenty of broken glass & bits of plastic, which I think is weird. The predator risk is unlikely to go down; I had a whole murder of crows this morning & the currawong attacking through the wire., which is why I'm thinking another small coop with its own enclosed run.

Plus Tootsie is on the outer with both Ha'penny & Portia ~ enough so they drew blood. I think they think she's not entitled to mum status, being the newest & youngest hen. Wrold & Alpia are only a little younger than Ha'penny & Chavi came with Portia ~ so they are all senior hens.

Bubs is hanging in there. She was out scavenging with everyone until the crows arrived & I put Chavi, Tootsie & bubs back in the coop.