Hi all, well I have not been on this site since I got my chicks. It has been a little over a year and all was well. I even saved one of the chicks from beasty butt and all six chickens were doing great until today. I am very sad. I lost half my girls today. 2 Astros and 1 Buff (my favorite) Penelope was so sweet, she would walk right up to me and beg me to pick her up. She would let me hold her while everyone petted her, etc. Now she is gone and I feel terrible since doing this probably made her vulnerable to whatever got her. There was no trace of her. No feathers, no blood, no nothing. The 2 Astros didn't leave much either except some feathers. I have not had an issue from the beginning. I let them free range almost everyday and they were always fine. Now today I lose 3 in one afternoon. I am so upset. I searched around for 2 hours and nothing. I suspect a fox or 2 since I don't think the hawks can manuever to get them with all the trees and other stuff I have around although I have seem hawks do some amazing things. Anyway, the reason I am writing (besides trying to make myself feel better) is this; I had on of the Buffs survive I think by jumping in the river next to my house and then getting out of the river when I called for her. It seems crazy but she was completely soaked including her head but no injuries or cuts or anything. We call her Tiny because she is the smallest and fastest and nuttiest too. Has anyone heard of something like this? If it was a fox don't they swim and wouldn't they go in after her? If it was a hawk, don't they go after fish under that are obviously under water. I find this incident very strange (besides upsetting). Do I have a magic chicken? Penny for your thoughts and also comments on what to do now that whatever predator I have knows where to get lunch and dinner!!!!
