There is a small flock of wild Key West chickens in the yard behind us. A hen has introduced 2 sets of chicks to our backyard to forage, but each time the brood diminishes til none are left. Neighbors' dogs killed 2 chicks and the rest...? Maybe hawks, I'm told.
So after the first brood died, the hen disappeared and turned up 3 weeks later with a new brood. Again, the 5 chicks vanished one by one over 2 weeks. After this, she stayed in our yard. Lately she's taken to calling out once or twice a day--the hens in the next yard will answer; whatever they are saying makes our hen back off. Today, a hen actually jumped on the fence menacingly, and our hen retreated.
Could this happen because she's old? Any theories are appreciated.
So after the first brood died, the hen disappeared and turned up 3 weeks later with a new brood. Again, the 5 chicks vanished one by one over 2 weeks. After this, she stayed in our yard. Lately she's taken to calling out once or twice a day--the hens in the next yard will answer; whatever they are saying makes our hen back off. Today, a hen actually jumped on the fence menacingly, and our hen retreated.
Could this happen because she's old? Any theories are appreciated.
