Greetings from southern New Hampshire, where the sad job of cleaning up after the fatal coop fire starts tomorrow.
Monday morning, our chicken coop burned to the ground, killing all 14 chickens and all 5 Indian Runner ducks. Not just barnyard animals, but family members. The cause is not certain. Most likely a falling heat lamp knocked down by a duck, but arson has not been entirely ruled out. A neighbor had complained about the ducks and the coop last year.
We have ordered chicks and ducklings. The latter are due in the week after next. Plans for Coop II are well along and it will be better, safer and more convenient.
Time to order seeds.
Thank you so much for the feedback, RD. That helps me know if I'm doing this right :)
I'll be following your rebuild on Facebook. I'd put a trail cam somewhere near the new coop, just to be sure on that arson thing. Good quality stills and videos can be had for under $100 these days.
Where do you order your seeds from? I’m a gardener and I get most of my veggie seeds from Baker Creek Seed Co. They’re all heirloom varieties, and you can request a free catalog. it’s SO worth checking out.
Really sorry about your fire and the loss of your animals. :-(
Sorry for the loss of your property. Sounds like you need some video on the new coop also, if your neighbor did it once he will try again.
I don't have to tell you who never makes it onto the local 'free eggs' list. :-)
Sorry to hear of your loss.
Oh no! That is terrible. We used to heat our peacock shed with a kerosene heater OUTSIDE the pens. We “insulated” with plastic sheeting over the windows and outside the doors. We never had a problem. Our shed was an old stable that my husband replaced the doors with chicken wire doors and covered the areas above the solid sides with more chicken wire. It was servicable for the birds, though not pretty. We already had normal electric service out there. No lanterns needed.
I am so sorry about your poultry.
Sorry about you poltry loss.
Oh Red, I’m so sorry. That’s awful. I truly hope arson can be ruled out.
Oh no!! :(
Oooh, how sad.
That has to be devastating; I know how it is to lose a single animal unexpectedly.
Lots of luck on the rebuild; and in finding the cause for certain. The camera ideas from others above are good advice.
For our combined chicken & rabbit house, I’m using a space heater that has a tip-over safety switch, mounted from the ceiling. For extra added protection, it is switched to its lower, 750W setting, instead of the full 1,500W, so that it runs longer, but doesn’t get as hot when running.
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your chickens and ducks. I haven’t had any for many years, but remember how “personable” they can be.
I am sorry for your loss. Impressive that you are regrouping so quickly.