We surprised a hawk in the middle of my raspberry bushes today and as he flew off I found my favorite little banty Mille Fleur, Tidbit, half eaten. She has 5 three week old chicks that were no where to be found, so my heart sank when I realized the hawk had eaten not only the mama, but her chicks, also. Flies were starting to gather, so after burying her I sprayed the area where I found her, with a hose. After a few minutes I heard frantic peeping from another row of raspberry bushes and there were 4 of the 5 chicks frantically calling for their mama. When I tried to catch them, they all ran and flew back to the coop. When I checked on them after dark, I found all 4 huddled together in one of the nesting boxes. Although small in size I think they'll be better off with all of the other hens and roos that they've been with since they hatched, rather than to catch them and try to re-introduce them to the flock in another month or so. I know that Tidbit taught them how to forage, hide, drink water and sleep in the coop at night, so I think they'll be ok. Tidbit was one of our top favorites as far as being a terrific broody hen and mama. My #1 broody hen, Clementine (Golden Laced Wyandotte Cochin) was killed last fall protecting her chicks from an owl.
I'm sorry for Tidbit. I am glad you found your other chicks. Poor things looking for mama. She sounded like a good mama.
So sorry for your loss. Did you find the last little guy by chance? Hawks normaly eat only one animal at time. The little one might be scarred to death and hiding somewhere. Hope he made it through the night
I'm so sorry about Tidbit. We just lost our Trouble to a hawk on Friday, an experience I would have gladly skipped. I'm so glad some of your little ones survived.
I'm so sorry you've lost your momma Tidbit. I feel sorry for her babies, but I hope they'll be ok with the rest of the flock.
I found a hawk in our outbuilding that houses our rabbits and quail today. It had been terrorizing the poor quail by pulling their feathers off from below their cage. I chased it off only to find it in there again later in the evening. It's gone now. FIngers crossed it won't be back. I'm hoping none of the poor little quail stroke out over the event. Sorry for the loss of your Tidbit. Here's to hoping the best for the little ones.
Thank you, everyone. The four remaining chicks are doing fine so far. The hens and roos leave them alone and they spend alot of time hiding among the raspberry bushes. They find their way into the coop at night and for the past two nights I have found them in one of the nesting boxes with a chick that is 2 weeks older than they are. She lets them sleep under her. What a sweet little foster mom chick!
