The hottest time of the year and no car ac don't work well together for me. So, the heat overcame me. I spent four days in the bed, barely existing. It was so hot in the kitchen where the chicks were. I barely looked at them. They, too, succumbed to the heat.
Then, I met a man with a broiler house. I was able to get two free broiler hens from him. They were pitiful looking. They had no feathers on their bottoms. The feathers on their backs were just the bottom part of the feather shaft. Neither could walk very well.
One Friday, I went out to many feathers and only Maggie May who looked sad and was skittish. She wanted to spend time with me. Thelma was gone. I felt like a failure. The next Friday, Maggie May was gone, leaving many feathers behind. I was puzzled because there were no bodies.
The next Tuesday, a teen neighbor came to the door, asking if I had seen his three cats. He rattled off their names and descriptions. He said a neighbor on the next block was also missing a cat. I told him about my hens. I had seen a chicken hawk on several occasions. His friend saw two eagles. (No, not eagles around here.)
Now, I pay $4.98 in the store for eggs. A vendor at the farmer's market sells his eggs for $4. Tuesday, I will buy from him. Since my hens are not laying, I eat less eggs!
Your turn
Have you ever rescued a broiler hen? Other than cover for the hens, how would you deal with a chicken hawk that does not involve guns?
Glad to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteMy pointer keeps the chicken Hawks away. I also have a large orange tabby who is quite protective of the chickens.
Patti from ca
Patti,
DeleteI need a cat and a dog! Or, I could live with the chickens.
if cats are missing the cause is coyotes.
ReplyDeletethey have gotten so fearless they walk down streets in daytime here in youngstown, ohio.
Deborah,
DeleteI did hear coyotes in the yard across the street, but that was last year. Will a chicken hawk get a cat? That is scary when coyotes will be so bold. I would worry for my safety and my children, especially small children. Thanks.
Glad you are back online and making rounds. Wish I could send you some cold weather, we have plenty.
ReplyDeleteThe weather has finally cooled a bit but is going back up to the nineties. Thanks.
DeleteCoyotes are a serious problem around here.
ReplyDeleteJanet,
DeleteNow, I am going to be frightened to go outdoors after dark, especially in the middle of the night! Yikes! Sometimes, I go out to the hens around 3 am. I do shine a flashlight around the yard as I get spooked a lot.