In Honor of Banana Split

[KathiQuacks]

What a cutie! I'm so sorry for your loss. A hawk came down and killed one of my little ones a few weeks ago. One of the terrible sometimes consequences of letting them live their best outside life.

Is the rest of the flock doing okay?

Sorry for the loss of your little one, too.

The rest of the flock seems alright, yes. I do intend on keeping them cooped up for a good while, though. I want to deter the same hawk from coming back.

 

[Anon112]

Sorry for the loss of your little one, too.

The rest of the flock seems alright, yes. I do intend on keeping them cooped up for a good while, though. I want to deter the same hawk from coming back.

I'm glad the others are doing okay. I was so gun shy about letting my chickens out after the hawk attack.

 

[Papaye]

Hi.

2 years, 3 months. That’s how long the flock has gone without casualty. Unfortunately, after yesterday, that count must be reset.

Yesterday afternoon, a predator, likely a hawk, attacked and killed one of my hens: Banana Split. I wanted this thread to be a small compile of writing and pictures to honor Banana’s legacy.

2 years and 3 months without any casualty is good, at least...
I have no doubt that Banana Split - I like her name, ah, ah! - has been happy to live these years with YOU.

Still, I am honestly sorry for you and your girl...!

But how do you know it is a hawk that has (probably) killed her?

And is there a risk this hawk would come back to prey on another of your birds...?
(Do you have a mean to deter hawks from your yard...?)

► I, myself, have recently lost almost HALF of my chicken hens to a FOX... and I feel so guilty about it...!!

But at least, I was here to see the (Brahma) rooster I was planning to maybe re-home ATTACK the fox... so now, I know I have to keep him AND buy another Brahma rooster to (better) guard my girls...
(My beautiful, Marans rooster was useless...)

Banana was the 4th to hatch in my last egg incubation. From the start, she was unique in appearance. Extra orange on her bill, splotchy orange feet..

...I have noticed with MY ducklings that the ones that need human help hatching end up having a bill (and, for the Black-based ducklings : feet too) noticeably more orange than their siblings...

(Just thought it was interesting to share!)

As an adult, she had white wing tips, and a feather tuft behind her left eye.

Which is interesting to see - Banana was really unique!
(And cute! Especially given the fact that Blue Fawn is a really pretty colour on duck hens!!)

I know her and her “twin” sister, Pear, loved each other dearly. They did everything together, even supported each other during egg laying & nesting. Banana also had her boyfriend, Guava, who treated her with the upmost respect.

How are Pear and Guava?
Emotionally, I mean...?
...Do they still keep going "normally", or are they very affected by Banana's death?

I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more time. But I hope the time you had was grand.

No doubt she was happy with you...!

In fact, she has probably lived so long THANKS to you (in contrast to if she had lived in the wild), so...
...you can be proud of yourself!

Your pictures are just A-MA-ZING!
(Thank you for sharing them with us!!)