- Dec 27, 2010
- 418
- 8
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We've had a bit of a fox problem lately that we've been trying to remedy to no avail. Today as I was going to be working all day, I left my main flock in their coop and let my little flock into their pen.
My little flock consisted of my first ever broody I got to adopt chicks - she's a hen I've had for almost five years, two chicks I hatched with an incubator, three pullets I hatched seven weeks ago. The pen is made of pallets and wire to keep out smaller predators. Part of it is covered by wire but another part isn't. If my broody wanted, she could have flown out but so far she has been nothing but a devoted mother. Even last night I saw her cuddling the pullets with her chicks when they went to sleep. She had no reason to fly out.
I was gone for seven hours today and upon my return she was gone. Vanished. No feathers, no holes in the pen, nothing. My dogs don't even have a scent to follow.
First off... what the hell was that?
Second off... is there anything I can/should do for the chicks? I removed them from the pen because their mama isn't their to protect them from the older birds (they're only 9 days old). They're in a brooder with light. Do I just try to provide some comfort? They napped in my hands today.
I am so sad for that hen. I loved her
My little flock consisted of my first ever broody I got to adopt chicks - she's a hen I've had for almost five years, two chicks I hatched with an incubator, three pullets I hatched seven weeks ago. The pen is made of pallets and wire to keep out smaller predators. Part of it is covered by wire but another part isn't. If my broody wanted, she could have flown out but so far she has been nothing but a devoted mother. Even last night I saw her cuddling the pullets with her chicks when they went to sleep. She had no reason to fly out.
I was gone for seven hours today and upon my return she was gone. Vanished. No feathers, no holes in the pen, nothing. My dogs don't even have a scent to follow.
First off... what the hell was that?
Second off... is there anything I can/should do for the chicks? I removed them from the pen because their mama isn't their to protect them from the older birds (they're only 9 days old). They're in a brooder with light. Do I just try to provide some comfort? They napped in my hands today.
I am so sad for that hen. I loved her
