Unwanted Visitors

The shrill cry of a young hawk had me scrambling for 4 week old biddies and my precious chihuahuas early this morning.  Prayers were interrupted as I watched and waited for the deathly dipping swoop of this bird in search of prey.   So beautiful to watch as they glide swiftly and gracefully through the sky, these keen eyed predators are deadly to my small animals.

The hens ran for cover and Miss Betty and her chicks froze where they stood.  How this feisty hen conveyed to her chicks the danger of moving is a wonder.  They held the frozen position for 3 minutes before resuming their foraging.  The hens are still staying close to the porch or under the shrubbery - both favorite havens.  The roosters are on patrol, one in the front yard and one in the back. 

Last week my beautiful rooster tangled with this beautiful creature and lost a cone and most of his neck feathers.  He survived the attack and his valiant efforts to protect his flock of hens paid off.  Matilda fell prey to a hawk last fall. An aging Rhode Island Red hen that could no longer flee as quickly as she once could, Matilda was caught in the deadly talons of a large hawk hunting in the area. 

Snakes, hawks, owls, weasels, coyotes and cats are deadly to my menagerie and it appears we have them all.  That's one way to keep me on my toes.  Until next time . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Two weeks ago a very thoughtful neighbor gifted me with 20 biddies.  It was an unsolicited and  wonderful surprise from this man with a heart of gold.

Several weeks ago a neighbors dog killed ten of my laying hens and a rooster.  These are pets that I raised and nurtured for over a year.  The dog's owner offered to pay me for the hens, but having no idea the value to put on my friends, I told them no.  I replaced my Rhode Island Reds with a few Barred Rock hens that were already laying. 

My gift arrived.  A mixture of Rhode Island Red, Red Sexlink and Big Reds, these little biddies became my focus of attention for days.  I wanted to make sure they were safe, warm and well fed and watered.  The little ones settled in quickly.  On Saturday I went out to check their feed and water only to find a 6 foot black snake had eaten seven of my little ones.  My heart fell.  Sunday was a repeat only this four footer only ate three before being caught.  I still have 10 little ones which during the week have relaxed once again and are happily running up and down their pen.  In a couple of weeks they will be too big for the snakes to swallow and I can stop worrying so much.

I think this may have been the reason my egg production dropped from four a day to two a day.  I have some well fed snakes in my area.  The coyote pups have been born also.  I hear their cries late at night and in the early morning in the woods behind the barn.  I am waiting on them also as I know they will be coming my way in search of food. 

I don't think I shall get too attached to the biddies or the new chickens.  Mother Nature is not kind to my heart.  And yes, I know all about the survival instinct, but I still don't like it.

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle