Oh this resonated so deeply with me. We have chickens and now I have 4 but we've had 8 others who have died from pretadors (foxes, hawk, who knows what else) and it is so hard every time. And hard on my kids. So many chicken funerals! My husband thinks it isn't worth it, but we keep going. And now my son also wants goats!
Wow hawks! I have to read up on that, interesting that they take chickens. Chicken funerals sound exhausting but the pull to keep having them is strong. Are you considering goats seriously? And how many acres do you have?
Yes! I spend my evenings with my 9 year old watching YouTube videos on raising goats! 🤣 Trying to figure out our fencing and shelter situation first, so it might be a while before we add them in. We have 34 acres, which is way too much!
So sorry for the chicken loss. We kept chickens (and goats, sheep, a pig, and honeybees!) for about 8 years and saw just about every predator possible, hawks being the worst. Our last few that were lost were the hardest as they had become more like pets for our children. We had some pretty awful attacks no matter how hard we tried to keep predators out. It’s certainly a lesson on the circle of life but always sad when it happens.
Lani did you have a hobby farm? And where was this?! Hawks as chicken predators are fascinating, I hadn’t expected bird on bird. And you’re right it’s hard every time!
We lived in Virginia when we had this small farm. We were rather clueless but it was a fun learning adventure. Can’t say I miss it too much right now as it was a lot of work but I appreciate the experience.
Hearing a chicken die made me question “If I had to kill animals for my own food, could I do it?” I don’t think so, and then it got me thinking of the broader question in general as to how animals are treated. Thanks for reading.
Lisa - I am a fan of that rule! My wife went to college at Tulane and when she took me to New Orleans, I saw an alligator sitting outside someone’s house and thought “WTF!!” But she was like “It’s normal, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.” Was that your experience?
Oh this resonated so deeply with me. We have chickens and now I have 4 but we've had 8 others who have died from pretadors (foxes, hawk, who knows what else) and it is so hard every time. And hard on my kids. So many chicken funerals! My husband thinks it isn't worth it, but we keep going. And now my son also wants goats!
Wow hawks! I have to read up on that, interesting that they take chickens. Chicken funerals sound exhausting but the pull to keep having them is strong. Are you considering goats seriously? And how many acres do you have?
Yes! I spend my evenings with my 9 year old watching YouTube videos on raising goats! 🤣 Trying to figure out our fencing and shelter situation first, so it might be a while before we add them in. We have 34 acres, which is way too much!
So sorry for the chicken loss. We kept chickens (and goats, sheep, a pig, and honeybees!) for about 8 years and saw just about every predator possible, hawks being the worst. Our last few that were lost were the hardest as they had become more like pets for our children. We had some pretty awful attacks no matter how hard we tried to keep predators out. It’s certainly a lesson on the circle of life but always sad when it happens.
Lani did you have a hobby farm? And where was this?! Hawks as chicken predators are fascinating, I hadn’t expected bird on bird. And you’re right it’s hard every time!
We lived in Virginia when we had this small farm. We were rather clueless but it was a fun learning adventure. Can’t say I miss it too much right now as it was a lot of work but I appreciate the experience.
This is an engaging read, Istiaq. The final question's thought-provoking. Thank you!
Thanks Carol.
Hearing a chicken die made me question “If I had to kill animals for my own food, could I do it?” I don’t think so, and then it got me thinking of the broader question in general as to how animals are treated. Thanks for reading.
Lisa - I am a fan of that rule! My wife went to college at Tulane and when she took me to New Orleans, I saw an alligator sitting outside someone’s house and thought “WTF!!” But she was like “It’s normal, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you.” Was that your experience?