Icelandic Chickens

[NotAFarm]

Well, another lesson learned the hard way here at NotAFarm.......

I have had a problem with a hawk (lost three youngsters) for a few weeks now and have been keeping my juveniles locked-up, except when I am home to watch them in the evenings. What I didn't anticipate was the hawk moving on to my larger birds. Who did it chose?....Forsaela...mother of the lovely chicks I have been posting of late. I am wondering how I could have been so stupid to think it would just leave the rest of the flock alone when I locked-up the youngsters. What a loss........she was the hen I got from kathyinmo last spring so she was extra special because of that. There is no replacing her, but I am glad I have some of her daughters here to keep her genetics in my flock. I'm heartbroken over this.

Last picture of I took of her on Monday, August 19....she was molting.....RIP beautiful treasure

 

[coldupnorth]

Well, another lesson learned the hard way here at NotAFarm.......

I have had a problem with a hawk (lost three youngsters) for a few weeks now and have been keeping my juveniles locked-up, except when I am home to watch them in the evenings. What I didn't anticipate was the hawk moving on to my larger birds. Who did it chose?....Forsaela...mother of the lovely chicks I have been posting of late. I am wondering how I could have been so stupid to think it would just leave the rest of the flock alone when I locked-up the youngsters. What a loss........she was the hen I got from kathyinmo last spring so she was extra special because of that. There is no replacing her, but I am glad I have some of her daughters here to keep her genetics in my flock. I'm heartbroken over this.

Last picture of I took of her on Monday, August 19....she was molting.....RIP beautiful treasure

Mary - I am so sorry for your loss of Forsaela. What a beautiful and lovely mother she was.

 

[mlm Mike]

Oh my, I'm so sorry Mary.

Not your fault, predators happen.

 

[RedIII]

Oh, Mary

I'm so sorry! She even looked gorgeous when molting. I wish I lived closer so that I could give you a hug in person. I know how it is to lose your babies like that

Hawks have to eat, too, but dang that buzzard!

 

[Jake Levi]

Well, another lesson learned the hard way here at NotAFarm.......

I have had a problem with a hawk (lost three youngsters) for a few weeks now and have been keeping my juveniles locked-up, except when I am home to watch them in the evenings. What I didn't anticipate was the hawk moving on to my larger birds. Who did it chose?....Forsaela...mother of the lovely chicks I have been posting of late. I am wondering how I could have been so stupid to think it would just leave the rest of the flock alone when I locked-up the youngsters. What a loss........she was the hen I got from kathyinmo last spring so she was extra special because of that. There is no replacing her, but I am glad I have some of her daughters here to keep her genetics in my flock. I'm heartbroken over this.

Last picture of I took of her on Monday, August 19....she was molting.....RIP beautiful treasure

Mary I am so sorry for you ! She was indeed a treasure. Hawks, and Owls are why I am covering my runs, and the chickens will only range every other day, at least cutting the risk down. I also have a number of emergency 'holes' and shelters for them, and of course we have a full array of raccoons, foxes , coyotes and possums.

She lives on in her daughters !

 

[debs_flock]

So sorry for the loss Mary.

 

[NotAFarm]

Thank you everyone for your kind words.

 

[Myrth]

Mary, what a hard loss! I am sorry to hear this. She was a beautiful bird.

 

[Jake Levi]

As much as we hate them, things happen, and Mary was wise to save her genes in her daughters !!

I have several times been so happy with this or that one, and then lost them, with no offspring to carry on. One reason why I have two sons of Isi 'standing by' and may well be raising out one or more others from this hatch. Still, I remember several of my hens I really liked, but have none of their offspring.

 

[NotAFarm]

Jake, You are right about the daughters. This episode with the hawk has me thinking I need to make sure I have another daughter or two from my original hens, Anna and Asta. That will be priority one next spring. They will turn four then and I have only hen, Elska, that I know is Anna's daughter and none that are Asta's daughter (although I have two granddaughters of hers).