I Built A Bridge!

[Teila]

Wooo hooo MM!

 

[MistyMountain]

I counted ten!! Lots of fluffy white ones, which I am super excited about! Those are leghorn crosses, which will hopefully all be pullets so I can increase my egg production! So many different colors this time! Black, black and white, one with leopard spots on it's head!

Excuse the poor quality pictures!

 

[Teila]

Congrats MM! Wow, how super cute are they? And, yep, lots of colour and variety .. just adorable!

 

[drumstick diva]

Cool - really cute chicks

Nice work Marge

 

[16 paws]

Fingers crossed for lot of leghorn pullets

 

[MistyMountain]

Hi all. Been a while. I guess I just didn't know how to put everything down in words. We have had a rough summer. Losing the two BO hens… then one leghorn hen and two of the guineas. I thought the last three flew off because they chose to roost in a tree the night a big t-storm hit. I now think otherwise.

Copy/paste/edit from another thread… It still burns.

We have had a rough week. I am now fully understanding what you mean about the roosters... they really do find their way into your heart. We were visited by what I can only assume was a dog on Tuesday and I am now down 1/3 of my flock plus one that is in a pet carrier recovering. It was like a killing spree. Mean old Willie Roo had to have been the first to go... he was free ranging to protect the littles who slip through the fence. The others were in the run with his son, Blackbeard. Whatever it was bent the door on the run and went wild. We found chickens in all directions. Devastating. Willie Roo had to have put up a good fight. Him, three hens and 4 four week old chicks were killed. I've lost hens before... but Willie... that mean ugly rooster... was special. He was unmatched in his ability to defend the flock. Something so amazing to watch him fight off hawks. He loved the babies, too. Most recently he took on 5 six week old guinea keets.

I'll add in here that of those lost were an older EE Sandy, Daphne my super laying leghorn mix from last year's broody hatch, my splash LF Cochin Elsa, mean old Willie Roo, and 4 of the 4 week old chicks, two of those were the only ones I thought might be pullets, including the pretty blue girl.

One ray of sunshine though, when I was looking over the mess that was leftover, I heard some peeping in the tree above me. There he was... a little cockerel that has looked just like his Daddy Willie since day one. I had no intention in keeping him, until now. We'll call him Willie Two. I hope he grows up just like his Daddy.

And then there is new life… Wanda hatched 9 of 12, but lost two. We are down to 7 two week olds, with at least 2-3 already showing their rooster colors. Oh boy!

 

[drumstick diva]

Out of all that blackness and despair - a shining beacon of light - WILLIE TWO. Do hope you will fully chronicle his existence, and lots of photos, so we grow into his fan club.

 

[16 paws]

MistyMountain,

I cant tell you how sad I am for you and your flock!

Many, many mourning hugs to you. I just dont know what to say to help with the hurt of all you have seen.

We are all crying right along with you. I just hate to hear that. We will miss hearing about all of them.

I know what you mean about the roos getting in your heart. That is why I decided not to get rid of mine for my neighbor. I see the way they protect and look after their flock, always thinking of someone besides themselves. That is a great quality and one worth valuing in my book.

I hope Willie Two gives you some comfort when you look at him and know that his daddy lives on thru him. Like Diva said, take pictures and let us know how he does being king of the flock.
Have to go because I am making myself cry....

Marie

 

[Teila]

Omg! Misty not Willie Roo!

I too am devastated at your loss and so many in such circumstances, I cannot imagine what it would be like to have to deal with such a scene … heart wrenching!

I am so sorry hon

As I wipe away tears, I can't help but be choked up when I read "I heard some peeping in the tree above me. There he was ... a little cockerel that has looked just like his Daddy Willie since day one".

What poor little Willie Two must have been through. Hopefully his experience will help him to become a wonderful rooster and make his Daddy very proud.

 

[Teila]

While my timing is probably not appropriate in light of the bad news ... just sharing some pics I took today.

KiKi and Crystal turn 19 weeks tomorrow.

Crystal:


KiKi .. I love the 'flame' look around her neck:


With mumma, Cilla:


KiKi:


And I threw one in of Auntie Blondie having a siesta in the shade: