The good, the bad, and the carnage.

[painteddaisy]

THE GOOD

As some of you know, my Mum has come to visit for a while. Last night we went to Bingo and she won $1000.00! That's the good.

THE BAD

When we got home last night we had some company, we were all celebratious and broke open a bottle of wine.
I was busy getting ready because tomorrow, (today) we were going to an auction and I was bringing in birds to sell.
Got everything done (allbeit very late).
BUT if forgot to lock up the critters!

THE CARNAGE

When we woke up bright and very early this morning, we discovered that racoons had gotten at the henhouse... It took me a few minutes to clue into what really happened), that's HOW MUCH I forgot to close up the henhouse!

My new Brahma hen, a chubby fryer hen, one of the cockerals I was going to take to auction, dead. DH had to destroy, one of my Indian Runner ducks and one of the Call Duck drakes I was going to bring to auction. The other 3 call ducks have been spoken for, but they are pretty roughed up. I hope they will make it through.
My buff Brahma Roo looks like hell. He's very shocky still and I guess time will tell... I cried when I realized that my original Brahma Mama survived!
I got them some antibiotics today.
I also went to the auction breifly to buy another duck to keep poor Abigale (the now lone Indian Runner) company. She was so stressed! She's very happy with her new friend a Welsh Harlequin Duck.

A lesson, no matter how celebratious things get. Always lock up your critters.
If feel like a very bad Mommy today.

[painteddaisy]

UPDATE

1 'coon, trapped, shot and bagged.

I wonder how many more to go......

[bergere]

Am so sorry. It is depressing when critters get your birds.

We are missing two broody hens, that came back in the morning to tap at the door to ask for food. They haven't done that in a few days.
Normally we lock everyone up at night,, and they are safe and sound. But Guess I kind'a wanted chicks, so I let them go off where they wanted too.. and I know better big time.
Ah well.

Sorry for your loss.

[painteddaisy]

'Tis the season, ey?

What really got me was after we cleaned up the mess, a fox had the audacity to boogie through the yard and right up to the chicken run - I guess he could smell the blood!!! Ooooh I got mad!

Anyway, the roo is in the basement now recovering. I think he might pull through although with just one eye...

The Cochins were fine, they were in a seperate run and I also have some eggs in the bator. We shall press on!

Bergere, I hope at least one of your girls comes home - with kids!

[bbird]

Oh man, it is the season. I didn't catch this post earlier. Sorry that happened Painteddaisy. So frustrating and sad.

Maybe your rooster will pull through and still have a eye. I say this because last spring I had two roosters that had got in a fight with each other, and one of the roosters looked like both eyes were gouged out. Really P*ssy too, but we put triple antibiotic cream on them everyday, and when it all cleared there were two eyes looking at us. Before that they looked hollow and bloody, and he could not see at all. Nothing like carrying a blind chicken out to the grass to peck around a couple times a day, lol.

Bergere- You have all banties don't you? Let's hope that they are setting on eggs and are well hidden. We don't lock up our banties, and somehow they survive. Smartest chickens of all chickens for some reason. They take every opportunity to disappear and pretty soon they are back in the yard with a herd of chickies.

[painteddaisy]

Thanks for the support you guys, I really feel down in the dumps about my Brahmas lately.

My Roo seems a bit better today. Drinking like crazy and trying to eat a bit. I took him outside for a walk. This is the first day with sun in about 12 days! He stood there for a long time and just dozed off again. But I really think he is on the mend. I can't imagine how painful it must be to have eye injuries such as his!

It's just that Brahmas are SO docile they just seem to have no gumption to survive or I dunno, P&V I guess you could say. I think if he were any other breed he would probably be living back in the henhouse by now.
Oh well, I'll keep pampering the lil darlin' until he's ready!

[Kathy]

I'm sorry about the invasion. Those types of attacks are so sad; I had a mama coon and her young(I think she was teaching them to hunt) invade my closed up chicken coop. It was hot out that night so I left the windows open with just the screen and chicken wire as a barrier to the outside. I thought because the windows were kinda high, the chickens would be fine.
I was wrong...

In one night I lost 14 1 yr old New Hampshire hens-and not a single one was fully eaten-just their chests laid open and the gizzard & heart gone.

I beat myself up over that for a long time. So don't feel like you're the only person who hasn't considered all the consequences-if you have poultry it seems to happen at least once to each of us.

I hope the survivors heal quickly and you get any more coons who may be lurking around.