Last time we saw each other on Liketu, I was showcasing the homestead!
We were preparing for the chickens that we coming in May, and there was a lot to do.
That day in May arrived yesterday and we are the proud new owners of 9 little chicks...We got 3 Barred Rocks, and 5 Rhode Island Reds. At least 1 male in the Reds. We think....
The day started with a lot of excitement because we drove almost 2 hours away from our home, to pick up the babies from a hatchery. As you can see from the first picture, they came in a little box and were extremely 'chirpy'....I that even a word?
We had everything set up in the brooder too, the heating devide, the waterer, the feeder and lots of love just waiting for them to arrive.
Second picture is the chicks finding out where there food and water was and wow, they went to town...Eating. Drinking. And yes, chirping...A lot.
The night was a little worrisome for my wife, as she kept thinking the brooder wasn't warm enough for the babies. I kept telling her, things were good and we have healthy happy chicks.
And this is where the adventure take a turn...
We woke up and found one of the baby chicks with a toe ripped off. This isn't rare apparently with fowls, as they get them caught in things and as soon as there is blood, their flock start picking at it.
We immediately took a picture of the toe (as seen in the picture) and I horruied off to the local poultry vet. Yes, there is such thing, and I had no idea until today it was a thing lol
We bought some antibiotics for the little chick and did our best to save her. But there was something wrong with her from the get go. As soon as we put her back into the brooder I saw her limp even more. And she just didn't seem to be all there. Her flockmates all were under the heater but she stayed out in the middle of the brooder.
The day went on and then my wife was cleaning the brooder earlier this evening and found that the chick had passed away.
Worst part of this story...My 5 year old son was there when she found the dead chick and welp...You can guess, he wasn't very happy. His first 24 hours of being with chickens, and one dies...Oh wow, that's pretty rough.
This is new territory for us, and I really hope we are doing these birds right. There is a lot to learn and we are learn ing that's for sure. I pray this is the only one we lose, because apparently, raising chicks can be a gamble if things arent perfect.
Updates next week on the journey....
