I have not told the story of our pre-Halloween trick-0r-treater. October 30th Slim and I were walking out to the mailbox. The yard was lovely and my precious chickens were dotting the landscape creating a beautiful scene. Suddenly Slim took off like a shot. I watched her go and managed to see the fox spring from it's crouching position, grab one of my girls and take off running. Slim was in hot pursuit. I was hopeful the heavy hen would slow the fox and he might drop her. No such luck. Slim returned home alone.
Hawks have swooped down and grabbed a chicken. Weasels have slunk into the hen house and sucked the blood of my chickens. Snakes have stolen my eggs and some newly hatched chicks. An owl has been caught in the hen house with its prey while the other chickens could only watch the slaughter.
We built our 2008 flock to 53 and it is now at 27. We will rebuild our flock but the predators will continue to come. As sad as I was to witness the fox, it was still an amazing moment in the circle of life.
Now to go back to my November contest click here. Clue #5: The blogger is on my Blogger Buddies list between the 30th and the 32nd. (Marla, that should be a big help for you.) Previous clues were: 1.) Drawn from a photo of three generations of women. 2.) The photo is in one of the blogger's September posts. 3.) The featured blogger is from Arkansas. 4.) Some people like my art work, some think it is hitonious. If you know who invented the word "hitonious" you are headed for the correct blog.
Hawks have swooped down and grabbed a chicken. Weasels have slunk into the hen house and sucked the blood of my chickens. Snakes have stolen my eggs and some newly hatched chicks. An owl has been caught in the hen house with its prey while the other chickens could only watch the slaughter.
We built our 2008 flock to 53 and it is now at 27. We will rebuild our flock but the predators will continue to come. As sad as I was to witness the fox, it was still an amazing moment in the circle of life.
Now to go back to my November contest click here. Clue #5: The blogger is on my Blogger Buddies list between the 30th and the 32nd. (Marla, that should be a big help for you.) Previous clues were: 1.) Drawn from a photo of three generations of women. 2.) The photo is in one of the blogger's September posts. 3.) The featured blogger is from Arkansas. 4.) Some people like my art work, some think it is hitonious. If you know who invented the word "hitonious" you are headed for the correct blog.
You certainly have a selection of wildlife there. Seems like an uphill climb keeping those chickens safe. I wouldn't tangle with Slim though!
ReplyDeleteGood that you can look at it from the wider perspective as part of the circle.
Sorry to hear about your chicken. Some of my neighbors have chickens and I witnessed one being carried off by a Hawk one evening. Poor baby chick just "screamed" for help and we were all helpless. Unfortunately these are acts of nature and that is what makes the world go round. Glad the fox didn't decide to go a few rounds with Slim.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I do have a chance of winning...if I wasn't too late. When will you let us know??
ReplyDeleteI also think the deer a lovely to watch...but they can really ruin a nice planting of mum in one evening!!
ReplyDeleteYour Slim is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHurray for Slim! Good doggie!
ReplyDeleteOh, my, this is the fourth time I am trying to get my comment to go through!
ReplyDeleteSorry about your chicken, Granny Annie. Handsome Slim tried though.
I used to love raising chickens, but haven't had any in over five years. I miss them but don't miss the worrying about all the predators that enjoy chioken dinners. I had all those you mention, except weasels. But the coons and possums made up for the weasels abscence.
I enjoyed my visit and will become a follower, so I can know what you've been up to. :-) Take care and have a great day.
Renie
Life goes on, win some, lose some---todays score Fox 01/Chicken 00
ReplyDeleteIt must be frustrating, though, to see your flock dwindle. I used to have a cleaning woman who raised chickens and she lost all of hers to foxes.
ReplyDeleteWinifred you are right about the uphill climb. It seems like two chickens forward and three chickens back.
ReplyDeleteBonnie, I'm sure glad the fox didn't get into it with Slim. There is a family down the road from us and their pitbull was whipped by a fox.
Scarlet, you will be in the drawing for Saturday. All those who participated and answered the three questions will have a chance. My 6 year old granddaughter Hope will be here and will draw the name. Her 14 year old brother Mike will keep us honest. I'll announce it Sunday morning.
Tabor, we enjoy the deer and the turnips we planted were especially for the deer. They haven't touched them. LOL
Thanks, OGO, we think Slim is beautiful too.
Yes Kay, Slim is a good doggie.
Renie, glad to see you here. I've been reading you and will add you to the blogs I follow.
Gary, the foxes are definitely winning. By the way we're having your sauerkraut and dumplings tonight. They sure smell good.
Oh Judy, I hope we don't end up losing all to the foxes. We add new chicks every Spring so hopefully I will never be without. Plus the guinea fowl are finally hanging around and I love them and hope to always keep a bunch of them. They are good watch birds.
Poor chickens. So many predators! Good dog!
ReplyDeleteYour poor chickens! Maybe you should of helped old Slim out! I bet it's frustrating watching them go one by one!
ReplyDeleteI know it's Nature but sometimes i hate nature - poor chicken.
ReplyDeleteUgggh. I hate to see that stuff, but the circle of wildlife is amazing. I'm just glad the fox wasn't looking at you!
ReplyDeleteSlim looks like a great watch dog...Sorry he didn't come back with your hen.....
ReplyDeleteYes, life is tough and the strongest survive. I hope you get your brood up in numbers before too long.
That fox did a hitonious thing!
ReplyDeletePoor hen.
Slim's a good doggie.
The chicken story is right on about the circle of life. So is the fact you will get you flock built back up.
ReplyDeleteOnly one person in the world could invent the word hitonious, right JD?
Ralph