minus a flock of chickens and one dog...

We've had our fair share of animal troubles this last week. It started when Daisy injured her leg.  She wouldn't put any weight on it and most likely sprained it.  A little aspirin and hotdogs and she's doing much better.  But, last week she spent most of the time inside, resting it up.  I don't know if this left Indie bored outside by herself or what, but she got herself into some trouble.  At least we think we did, we still don't have all the details. 

Last Tuesday when Ryan got home Indie was out of her pen and all our chickens were missing.  The entire flock.  Then he found two huddled under our woodpile where Indie was trying to get to them.  It was our rooster and one hen.  Ryan put Indie back into her pen and tried to get the chickens out.  They wouldn't budge.  I don't blame them.  Then he walked the entire property, drove around and tried to find the rest of the missing chickens.  It was really weird because there wasn't even really any signs of them.  No feathers, no blood on Indie, nothing.  Not even a lot of tracks in the mud and snow to give us a clue.  

About then the kids and I pulled up.  Mason went and got his binoculars and helped daddy.  Then it started to snow and the sun was beginning to set.  We figured they were gone for good.  We finally dug out the rooster and the hen.  Two other hens came straggling back from who knows where.  And then we found one dead chicken in the dog pen.  So, we tucked our three hens and rooster into the coop and waited for morning.  

Nothing new in the morning.  Later that day Indie got out again and our rooster went missing.  Never saw a sign of him again.  We talked to our neighbor and she said that three of her chickens were attacked that same day.  We've never had predator problems in the past, but it's looking like maybe hawks.  We've seen some coyotes around, but there were no tracks.  And we're still not sure what role Indie played.  But, this is her third attack of the chickens so we decided it was time to find her another home.  We delivered her to a nice family over the weekend. 

The kids were a little sad at first. But, after we assured them that they didn't have any chickens and that they weren't planning on getting any chickens they were happier about bringing her to her new home.  Every once in a while they talk about Indie and how she's at a new home.  Plus, yesterday I overheard them playing.  They had made a tent and they were hunting hawks and keeping them away from the chicken coop.  

So, we're left with sweet Daisy dog and three hens.  It sure is quiet around here.  And we're missing our fresh eggs like nothing else. 

The kids were sorting out treats for Daisy from their kitchen.

We're trying to figure out how to replace our layers.  The timing is not exactly great.  If we ordered new chicks they would come about the time the baby is due.  Their requirement of constant care doesn't mix well with spending a few days in the hospital over an hour away. Our best bet is to probably buy some hens from someone that are older and already laying.  Decisions.  We'll have to decide soon because I'm not excited about running into town today to buy eggs from the grocery store.