Just wanted to say thanks for the condolences. I obviously was still very emotional when I posted. I guess the hardest part was that I had been holding her that morning. Thursdays are my longest days of class this semester, and I really needed to get packed up and going, but she was giving me the sweetie face and talking with that soft, sweet voice she had, and I couldn't help but sweep her up in both arms and give her a snuggle. Her feathers were so soft and lovely, as usual, and she kept chattering at me as if to let me know that Dorkings are meant more for laps not arms... I didn't know that would be the last time I would hold her or I would have held her so much longer.
I saved as many feathers as I could that were not too damaged. Not sure what I'm going to do with them, but at least I have them. Poor baby... I guess now I really do need more Dorkings.
Reuben is actually really impressing me again with all of this as well. Yesterday, Marge had gone broody, so he just happened to be in the flock. When I got home, he was actually standing outside of the coop and keeping the hens inside. Today, he's been keeping the hens closer to the coop and standing out in the yard, almost like he's standing sentry. I can't blame him at all for not being able to keep all my girls safe, being that he's one small rooster in a flock of 32 hens, but he is really stepping up. If nothing else, I'll definitely try to hatch eggs from the flock a little later in the spring. Hopefully he'll get some sons to train up.
Mom and I have been planning a covered area in the chicken yard, which was originally just going to be like a sturdy winter run that would keep some space snow-free and allow me to block out the English Sparrows that I just can't stop any other way. Now we have yet another use for it; hawk-proof winter space for the girls. We unfortunately can't start building until we get some warmer weather and the ground thaws, but we're going to try and get a bit of lumber each paycheck so that we can put it up as soon as we possibly can. It won't be much, definitely not enough space for a permanent yard for 33 chickens, but enough space for the girls to hang out for a while if we're snowed in or have a hawk attack.
[COLOR=8B4513]OMG! I feel so bad for you and for Kit! Did your mom or anyone see the hawk or are you making an educated guess? That is so horrible! I know you do everything you can to protect your babies. [/COLOR]
When I arrived home, it was still sitting on Kit's remains.
It was a Cooper's Hawk. I thought it was either a Sharp-shinned or Cooper's, but it was WAY too big to be a Sharp-shinned. It was just about the same size as she was. It actually came back this morning right before I had to leave for class. Luckily, Reub was on high alert and got all the girls to the coop that time.
Oh No! So Sorry Pipd. Yes. We know how much you love your Dorkings. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful descriptions about your birds. It's certainly not fair that you've had a few terrible chicken losses this year.
Well, Kit was actually my first loss this year. It's been a little more than 4 months since the last, so that's something, I suppose. I thought I might lose Elly at the end of the year, but she pulled through, thank goodness. I'm so sad that she's lost her sister, though, while on leave from the flock.
So sad to hear. Your girls are the reason I have some dorkings ordered for this year.
Oh, I really hope you like them! They are so easy to adore!
[COLOR=3864A3]
www.in.gov/boah/2390.htm[/COLOR]
I am sorry to report AI in found Dubois county Turkey Farm..
This makes me feel so sick... I had hoped this nightmare was over...
