Hawk killed Tidbit

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.

 

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!