I let my girls free range in my suburban fully fenced backyard from time to time, because it is such a joy watching them graze and chase bugs and prance around like happy, happy chickies. I let them out this afternoon and went inside to finish up a sewing project, and an hour later I heard a huge commotion... I rushed out and where usually the girls hear the backdoor opening and come rushing towards me hoping for treats, but no one came. They were all hiding in the shrubs along the fenceline, which is highly unusual. Then I saw a hawk take off with my black silkie. I must have startled the hawk, because it dropped the silkie and flew off. The silkie was flopping in place but I was so frozen with fear that I couldn't go near her to see what the extent of the damage was. 
After about 30 seconds, she stopped moving. I gathered up the rest of the flock and put them back in their enclosure and went to see the silkie... her neck and crop were opened to the bone.
I covered her with a Rubbermaid bin to keep the hawk from coming back for her, and I plan on burying her this evening. I have her last egg, laid this morning, on my counter. I loved her. Her name was Ginny, and she was so sweet and beautiful and a champion layer-- she laid 7 days in a row earlier this month! In January! I am so sad that I let this happen.
How can I preserve her last egg? Blow it out or something? Is that ridiculous of me?
After about 30 seconds, she stopped moving. I gathered up the rest of the flock and put them back in their enclosure and went to see the silkie... her neck and crop were opened to the bone.I covered her with a Rubbermaid bin to keep the hawk from coming back for her, and I plan on burying her this evening. I have her last egg, laid this morning, on my counter. I loved her. Her name was Ginny, and she was so sweet and beautiful and a champion layer-- she laid 7 days in a row earlier this month! In January! I am so sad that I let this happen.
How can I preserve her last egg? Blow it out or something? Is that ridiculous of me?
