Fledgling Down!

[MIchael Hibberd]

I came home from my night shift and the poor little fella had passed, cradled in my housemate's palm

 

[Carol Dee]

Oh Dear, you did all you could for the little fella. And your housemate was there to give warmth and comfort at the end.

 

[baymule]

I am sorry Michael. You did the best you could. It may have had injuries that were not apparent or been in shock. Big hugs.

 

[ninnymary]

Oh, that is so sad.

Mary

 

[thistlebloom]

Since he ran into something instead of just falling out of his nest, he likely did have some internal injuries. You did a good thing by helping him.

 

[MIchael Hibberd]

Thanks peeps!

Another blow to the smallholding occurs. A mink (or potentially a fox) got in and lobbed off the heads of my 5 beautiful hens. So sad.

Revenge will be mine!

 

[ninnymary]

Oh No, that's awful. How did it get in? Do you still have chickens left? I'm sure you've reinforced that coop by now.

Mary

 

[MIchael Hibberd]

I am as of yet unsure, mink apparently get in a gap 3 fingers wide. No chickens left, but I have had 5 delivered this morning. All fluffy and chirpy.

I am moving the pen, the area was a dozen times as large as needed and was double fenced (with electrics) but it's maintenance was too much so I'm building something closer to the house. I'll certainly post some pics!

 

[sumi]

I'm sorry to hear to hear about the fledgeling and now the loss of the hens. Minks can get through incredibly small places, horrible little things. There is a bunch of articles on BYC on the different predators and how to protect your flock and predator proof your coop:

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-predators-pests-how-to-protect-treat-your-flock

Best of luck!

 

[MIchael Hibberd]

Thanks @sumi

I'll have a read. Forgot I signed up for that forum too!