Gone, but not forgotten!

[bordergurl]

Yesterday was a beautiful day- the sun was shining, the snow was gone, it was 10c when I left for work. My barred rock roo was taking a dust bath and when I called to him he shook his feathers free of the dust looking magnificent for the first time this winter. The girls were happily wandering around the yard, scratching in the soil, pecking at hidden treasures. Fast forward the day to my return home from work. I saw a barred rock roo tail feather in the drive. I immediately knew that wasn't good! My son pulled in and ran in the house to let our two dogs out. Although we have a hunting breed, we have trained our dogs to leave our chickens and ducks alone. Everything else is fair game. Our dogs immediately ran behind a building, following I found a hen in the throes of an agonizing death. My son kindly put it out of it's misery. The dogs tracked and found 5 other bodies for me. I still hadn't found my rooster so I walked over to the neighbours to see if they had noticed a ruckus. They told me there was a stray dog sitting on another neighbours porch and I went over there. Sure enough there was the culprit with my roo's body. That home owner came out of the house and told me the stray had been hanging around her garage for a couple of days. I asked her to call the humane society and have it picked up immediately. So I'm down to 4 hens, 1 silkie frizzle roo and a very empty coop. But I have 8 eggs laid yesterday and am thinking of firing up the bator......

The lost girls were 8 months old and had laid religiously for me all winter. The roo was 11 months old and was quite the character. When predatory birds flew overhead he always hurled himself in the air after them!

I love dogs and I understand their nature, but I am very sad at the loss.

 

[terrilhb]

I am so sorry for your loss.

That is horrible. I lost some chickens to a random dog attack awhile back. So I know how you feel. Sending lots of

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I'm so sorry.

What a horrible scene to return home to. I can only imagine how sad you are.

 

[ColbyNTX]

That really sucks! I think we all have been through somthing like that before. I lost my pyrenees 1 1/2 weeks ago and I worry about that everyday now. I got a 7 week old pyrenees this week but it will be a while until he can protect.

 

[3goodeggs]

That is so sad. I am sorry. Please do fill up the bator and get a wonderful mix of chicks.
I am glad your son was able to what needed to be done for you.
Son's are good things to have around.