Monday, April 5, 2010

FROM ONE MOTHER TO ANOTHER

Thank you dear blog friend's for your kind comments and concerns in regards to my dear hen Charlotte. She is on the mend and recovering quite nicely. Her limp appears gone and wing seems fine as she is once again able to fly to perches and to roost. The incident however, caused such a state of stress amongst the girls that their egg production has dropped off dramatically. Can't say as I blame them, I too would be a nervous Nelly. I am still in awe over the fact that Charlotte not only survived the incident, but found her way home. Who ever said chickens were dumb did not know what they were talking about! I will keep you all posted if Charlotte decides to switch teams and becomes a rooster. One of my blog readers revealed that this did indeed occur with one of her hen's who had survived an incident similar to Charlotte's. Take about amazing chickens! First outing after the incident Winslow Homer the hero dog remained close at hand. The girls did not wander far from the backyard and remained close together. I did notice more "chirping" amongst them and any out of the ordinary sound or movement prompted the girls to scramble together, remain silent and cautious.
So this is what it has come down to, me toting a gun. My cousin Eve would be proud of me I'm sure. The first time I held a weapon was at Eve's home in New York. I did not think my hand was ever going to quit shaking. I just am not the gun toting type, but I do respect responsible gun owners. Seeing me sitting in my reading chair with a gun was cause for a good laugh. ( "Mom, you'll shoot your eye out!") Mrs. Fox has indeed reappeared and Winslow Homer did swing into action as I flew around scurrying the girls into their coop. I need to confess mama fox is a real beauty, healthy, stunning coat with a cry to match. Now, I don't intend to kill or mame her ( as if I could) I just want to scare her off. I realize she is just trying to provide for her kits, but I sure would like for us to come to some sort of agreement- she remains on her side of the field and my girls remain on theirs! Sounds reasonable doesn't it?




13 comments:

Ginny said...

A fox could not ask for anything more!! Glad to hear Charlotte is on the mend.

Razzberry Corner said...

Your fox bargain sounds reasonable to me, but maybe not to Mrs Fox...

When we first moved into this house the raccoons showed up & went thru our garbage several nights in a row. They opened the trash cans which were outside. We made a deal with them, and now we feed them a bowl of dry dog food on the back porch every eve, and they have never gone thru our trash again since we started feeding them (for the past 1.5 years). They were just hungry, now that they are not hungry, they have no reason to eat trash.

Hope your deal with the fox works out, but I don't know if it will. She seems to like chicken...

~Lynn

Rural Rambler said...

It all sounds pretty dang reasonable to me! A chicken Mama has gotta do what she has to do :) Sometimes all is needed is the loud crack of a warning threat. Love that picture Julie, you look like one mean Mama with that bottled water and pretty pink adirondack. But I do bet you can kick some if you have to :)

Spring Lake Farm said...

I've had the same relationship with raccoons. With the lake and a small run off we have the perfect habitat for them. I just want them to not stock their fridge with my chickens!

Charlotte is quite the girl. A real survivor. Winslow Homer will have to be extra diligent.

Sandy

Farm Girl said...

I love the picture of your gun next to your chair, with your book and water, that is so funny. It just makes me laugh. Glad Charlotte is doing so much better. We just called a trapper from to come bring a trap and he would get rid of them. (No I don't know how or where, but because they are not native to California, they can't be relocated.) Maine might be different. We have caught 28 so far. We have one out there now, but so far hasn't tried to get
chickens. Good Luck!!

Eve said...

What a HOOT!!! Good for you girl...just a little pepper in the butt will send her flyin....the fox that is! Auntie Barb thought it was like the Hatfields and McCoys, you and that fox!

Martha said...

Glad Charlotte is on the mend!

Kritter Keeper at Farm Tails said...

i hate guns too...know how you feel. so glad your charlotte is getting better...i haven't seen my foxes in awhile...i am sure if i had chickens i would see them daily!

Cedar ... said...

Perhaps just the sight of the gun will keep Mama Fox on her own side of the field? Greetings to Charlotte,I'm glad to see you are doing better.

Pondside said...

Up here it's otters - they'll creep in through the smallest crack and wreak havoc on the hen population.
What a lovely ramble I've had around your blogsite. Your Winslow Homer looks like a relative of my Rosie, and I also keep hens, here by the Pond. I'll be back for more stories from your farm.

Finegan Antiques said...

I have a similar situation. There is a bird house in our yard and I can spend many an hour on our back porch watching the little darlings. We also have a couple of squirrel families living in our trees. Watching them and their antics provides endless pleasure. The problem is when the squirrel decide to invade the bird house. Now I am a nature/animal lover so this presents a problems. So when I hear the birds making an awful noise, there I am with a broom trying to scare the squirrels away. Why can't they get along so I can have a peaceable kingdom in my yard?

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

would love to have you and your husband for supper anytime...always welcome at farmhouse..

and so glad to hear charlotte is o.k.

kary
xxx

DayPhoto said...

The low end of the food chain...chickens, rabbits, ducks, really sad.

Watch for hawks, crows, and owls, they are just as deadly.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com