I lost my first chicken today.
A sweet and vocal australorp named Terri (we used to be convinced she was a rooster until catching her in the act of laying). The coop is a fortress but someone must have taken off with her at some point during the day. I let them free range all day because they're SO done with winter and have taken to occasionally nipping at each other's feathers. Definitely not overcrowding, probably a combination of protein deficiency and boredom. I usually don't let them out until mid-afternoon but this morning when I went to clean out the coop I decided to give them a whole day of freedom. I knew it was a risk (most likely a hawk took her) but I have to think that an enjoyable but short life is better than a life of confinement. But that doesn't keep me from being really sad. RIP Terri 6-1-10 to 3-26-11. She will be missed by her seven sisters and human family.
