Oh no, that is awful!
I am so sorry to hear about your loss </3 I honestly don't know what to say other than that is just plain awful, evil hawk
Pipd's Peeps!
- Thread starter pipdzipdnreadytogo
- Start date
Oh no.
I'm so sorry for your loss. She seemed like an amazing bird. Poor girl.
- Thread starter
- #283
Thank you both, it has been a rough few days. I had to leave again for class on Friday, the day after this happened, and just before I left that hawk was back, sitting right where it had killed Kit. My brother, fortunately, was more than willing to stand guard that day, and I've been home yesterday and today to keep an eye on things. There have been a few warning calls from Reuben and the girls, but I haven't actually seen that hawk since Friday morning.
Speaking of Reuben, he has been nothing short of amazing. He just happened to be in the flock on Thursday due to Margaret going broody. When I arrived home to find that hawk on Kit's remains, Reuben had the rest of the girls in the coop and was standing a few feet outside as if to protect them. The next day, when the hawk returned, Reuben had been keeping the girls close to the coop and got them all inside in no time. He is but a small rooster in a flock of big, bossy girls, but he's doing his best. I can't fault him for what happened to Kit; he clearly has been doing all he can to keep the girls safe.
Today, it's frigid cold out, and while the girls have been huddled in the coop all day, I just went out to check on them and found Reuben once again standing outside on sentry duty, all alone in the cold. I had to get a picture of him, lit by the sunset, clearly cold, but still staying out to keep watch. He has really earned his keep. Now if only he would stop focusing so much on Marge!
(P.S. I believe this would qualify for 45. Bravery on my checklist.)
Elly is still inside with the frigid cold, with the occasional visit with the hopes that she doesn't get too removed from the flock pecking order. I've been especially protective of her, I suppose, after losing her sister. If I lost her, too, I don't know what I would do... She is such a sweetie, and has been getting lots of lap time inside. She loves to stretch her wings and go flapping across my room, then come back over to me and sit on my lap for a nice preen and some cuddles.
She helps my heart heal.
Oh, and I mentioned a few posts back about building a roofed section in the chicken yard. Well, now it's definitely going to be built and as soon as we can possibly get it done. I plan to not only have this area covered, but fenced and secure from all predators. The girls don't like going out in the cold and snow anyway, so I can keep them closed in it during the winter to avoid this happening again.
Speaking of Reuben, he has been nothing short of amazing. He just happened to be in the flock on Thursday due to Margaret going broody. When I arrived home to find that hawk on Kit's remains, Reuben had the rest of the girls in the coop and was standing a few feet outside as if to protect them. The next day, when the hawk returned, Reuben had been keeping the girls close to the coop and got them all inside in no time. He is but a small rooster in a flock of big, bossy girls, but he's doing his best. I can't fault him for what happened to Kit; he clearly has been doing all he can to keep the girls safe.
Today, it's frigid cold out, and while the girls have been huddled in the coop all day, I just went out to check on them and found Reuben once again standing outside on sentry duty, all alone in the cold. I had to get a picture of him, lit by the sunset, clearly cold, but still staying out to keep watch. He has really earned his keep. Now if only he would stop focusing so much on Marge!
(P.S. I believe this would qualify for 45. Bravery on my checklist.)
Elly is still inside with the frigid cold, with the occasional visit with the hopes that she doesn't get too removed from the flock pecking order. I've been especially protective of her, I suppose, after losing her sister. If I lost her, too, I don't know what I would do... She is such a sweetie, and has been getting lots of lap time inside. She loves to stretch her wings and go flapping across my room, then come back over to me and sit on my lap for a nice preen and some cuddles.
She helps my heart heal.Oh, and I mentioned a few posts back about building a roofed section in the chicken yard. Well, now it's definitely going to be built and as soon as we can possibly get it done. I plan to not only have this area covered, but fenced and secure from all predators. The girls don't like going out in the cold and snow anyway, so I can keep them closed in it during the winter to avoid this happening again.
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He sounds like a really good rooster for your girls <3 and that really is bravery.
Hopefully the hawk stays away, it's so annoying when winter rolls around and all the predators are looking for food
It's good to hear about Elda and that she is doing good, the ones like that are always special.
That's good, hopefully you can get it built soon.
Do you know long until you get the new chicks?
Hopefully the hawk stays away, it's so annoying when winter rolls around and all the predators are looking for food
It's good to hear about Elda and that she is doing good, the ones like that are always special.
That's good, hopefully you can get it built soon.
Do you know long until you get the new chicks?
Nice picture. Glad to know he's a good rooster. I've seen a few hawks around lately. One was sitting on the telephone pole in my driveway watching me clean the rabbit hutches... Hopefully the roof will keep the hawk away.
- Thread starter
- #286
Hopefully the hawk stays away, it's so annoying when winter rolls around and all the predators are looking for food
Do you know long until you get the new chicks?
I know, and it's so hard not to take it personally when one of your beloved pets is taken by one of them. They're just trying to survive, I keep having to remind myself. It's been a mild enough winter, though, that it should be able to find another food source.
With everything else going on, I let the future babies slip my mind. 119 days to go!
It's scary how determined they are. :/ Hope your girls and your bunnies stay safe as well!
I had Elly out in my room for cuddles and she finally managed to poop on my floor.
. 
Naughty girl! I think Crashie is jealous of the attention I give her because she starts yelling at me as soon as I turn my attention toward Elly and away from her. 
So this is my life.It's frigid-frigid cold out today, 9 degrees F as the high and hovering around 6-7 degrees most of the day. BRR!! The girls pretty much haven't left the coop except when I first opened it up. Been keeping an ear out, but they're staying sheltered, so I feel a bit more relaxed about it today... I'm still checking on them with every odd sound they make, though! I've not been able to find the multi-outlet thingy for the coop, so I've had to keep an eye on their water as well and make sure it isn't frozen. One outlet in the coop means I had to decide between the heated bucket or the baby monitor--the monitor won.
- Thread starter
- #287
The hawk was back just now. I heard it over the monitor, the girls and Reuben were freaking out. Threw on my boots and ran out to find my brother already there. "It got one of them," was all he said, and my heart sank. There were black feathers everywhere, with the characteristic white tip that told me it was Rangi, but no remains to be found. I rushed into the coop to make sure everyone was okay, and hiding in the corner behind everyone was Rangi.
She's pretty much bald down the back of her neck, has a couple small bruises and cuts, but otherwise she is fine.
I counted a few times and found that Rosie was missing. My brother's phone has this flashlight app on it, so he handed it to me to look around and I finally found her, literally underneath three hens in the small dog crate that Reuben used to sleep in. She must have been trampled because she was a bit off, but after I checked her over for any wounds (there were none), she shook out her feathers and joined the other Sebrights on the roosts. All of my girls are safe. I went ahead and closed the coop early to be sure of that.
The hawk, well... I will just say it won't be back. It was the same one again, Cooper's hawk juvenile. Hopefully by this time next year there won't be any way for another hawk to attack because we will have a secure enclosure up by then. I am shaking and I have so many mixed emotions right now, I'm not even sure what to feel! But, my girls are all still here, and they are all safe.
She's pretty much bald down the back of her neck, has a couple small bruises and cuts, but otherwise she is fine.
I counted a few times and found that Rosie was missing. My brother's phone has this flashlight app on it, so he handed it to me to look around and I finally found her, literally underneath three hens in the small dog crate that Reuben used to sleep in. She must have been trampled because she was a bit off, but after I checked her over for any wounds (there were none), she shook out her feathers and joined the other Sebrights on the roosts. All of my girls are safe. I went ahead and closed the coop early to be sure of that.
The hawk, well... I will just say it won't be back. It was the same one again, Cooper's hawk juvenile. Hopefully by this time next year there won't be any way for another hawk to attack because we will have a secure enclosure up by then. I am shaking and I have so many mixed emotions right now, I'm not even sure what to feel! But, my girls are all still here, and they are all safe.
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- Thread starter
- #288
Rangi's doing just fine now, a couple days after that whole event. She was a bit stiff yesterday like she pulled some muscles, but is back to normal today. 
Well, other than being bald down the back of her neck!
I also am not 100% sure anything happened, and I'm also not sure I should be this excited about it, but it looked like Reuben successfully mated Marge this morning!
I looked over in time to see Marge shaking off like they usually do afterward, and Reuben was standing right there with her. No sounds of distress, and she didn't run for her life afterward, so she must be at least okay with his presence now. I haven't seen him actively chase after her in a long time, either. Looks like Reub's in the flock now, AND there's a possibility of future Reublets!! 
Well, other than being bald down the back of her neck!I also am not 100% sure anything happened, and I'm also not sure I should be this excited about it, but it looked like Reuben successfully mated Marge this morning!
I looked over in time to see Marge shaking off like they usually do afterward, and Reuben was standing right there with her. No sounds of distress, and she didn't run for her life afterward, so she must be at least okay with his presence now. I haven't seen him actively chase after her in a long time, either. Looks like Reub's in the flock now, AND there's a possibility of future Reublets!! - Thread starter
- #289
Hello, weekend! I have quite a bit of homework to get done before Monday (hence why I'm posting right now... 
), and on top of that I've caught whatever disease is circling around right now, which has me pretty miserable... But I have chickens and chocolate, the two best medicines there are, so everything should be okay.
The girls have been a lot more relaxed since everything went down, and everyone is still doing well, especially Rangi. She's gone back to her usual state of meekness, with a bit of attitude. No problems with predators since then, but we have seen some other miscellaneous hawks fly over. Here's hoping they don't get any ideas...
It's a lovely, warm day and Elda is out with the flock right now. It's sad to see her out there without her sister. She seems so lost and alone. She spent some time poking around the usual hangouts she and Kit would stop at to preen or just sit... It was so heart wrenching.
But she is free-ranging and trying to keep with the flock now, even if she is a bit outcast by the other girls. It'll take some time, but she should be fine. They aren't being terribly mean to her, so I think they still remember her a bit.
In regards to Reuben and Margaret, well, now I'm 100% sure. I caught them in the act today--where's a blushing smiley when you need one?
Anyway, there was no struggle and it all happened the way it should have, so I'm going with the assumption at this point that Reuben won't be too overbearing on Margie or chase her around anymore. He does follow her around like a lovesick puppy, though.
Boy oh boy... Looks like there are 107 days until chickies? With the above news about Reub and Marge, perhaps there will be some chicks a little sooner than that, though...
), and on top of that I've caught whatever disease is circling around right now, which has me pretty miserable... But I have chickens and chocolate, the two best medicines there are, so everything should be okay. The girls have been a lot more relaxed since everything went down, and everyone is still doing well, especially Rangi. She's gone back to her usual state of meekness, with a bit of attitude.
No problems with predators since then, but we have seen some other miscellaneous hawks fly over. Here's hoping they don't get any ideas...It's a lovely, warm day and Elda is out with the flock right now. It's sad to see her out there without her sister. She seems so lost and alone. She spent some time poking around the usual hangouts she and Kit would stop at to preen or just sit... It was so heart wrenching.
But she is free-ranging and trying to keep with the flock now, even if she is a bit outcast by the other girls. It'll take some time, but she should be fine. They aren't being terribly mean to her, so I think they still remember her a bit.In regards to Reuben and Margaret, well, now I'm 100% sure. I caught them in the act today--where's a blushing smiley when you need one?
Anyway, there was no struggle and it all happened the way it should have, so I'm going with the assumption at this point that Reuben won't be too overbearing on Margie or chase her around anymore. He does follow her around like a lovesick puppy, though. Boy oh boy... Looks like there are 107 days until chickies? With the above news about Reub and Marge, perhaps there will be some chicks a little sooner than that, though...
It's good to hear that everyone is doing okay! I hope you feel better soon
Baby silkies <3 Hopefully he carries on trying to be a gentleman with the ladies.
They get closer everyday!
I'm getting chick fever pretty bad, but no new babies until March; I can handle that much... I think
How is Crash doing?
Baby silkies <3 Hopefully he carries on trying to be a gentleman with the ladies.
They get closer everyday!
How is Crash doing?
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