- Jul 16, 2008
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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.