Don't Count Your Chicks

The old saying is don't count your chicks until they hatch. Well, don't count them until they're grown either. We originally got ten Jersey Giants in May. Much later than we ever had and that's probably part of the problem. 

They stepped on one of the chicks near the beginning, then two others died from being drowned and beaten. We realized we had a less docile breed at this point. Two others went in June, one jumping out and not getting back in, the other probably got overheated. But the last five were healthy. Well, until today. 

Somehow, there was a lack of water issue. Rob had filled it this morning and either they knocked it over, or it had a leak, or something, but we didn't have an Jersey Giants left. 

Rob's beating himself up, but really we tried everything with these birds. I know this sounds bad, but I'm actually relieved to not have to try to integrate them with our current flock. These weren't the sweetest and while I hate to see any life perish, it just wasn't meant to be. The other girls are doing great, so we're not horrible chicken parents!