Fox attack!

A few days ago the senior hens were having their usual free roaming session around the garden while Lucky (our cat) was having his afternoon  nap, when I noticed that one of the hens (JD) was missing. I went down to the hen house to check the nest boxes - she was not there. As I walked back up the garden I noticed a few black feathers on the grass, and my heart sank. There were a few more feathers in under the hedge, but no sign of JD.

I can only assume that JD was taken by a fox. At this time of year vixens have many young mouths to feed and venture out during the day in search of prey. I know that it is all part of nature, but it is still upsetting to lose a hen like this. JD was one of the most senior hens - I had her for almost three years and she was probably a year old or more when I bought her. She was a lovely hen, a real character, and I will miss her. It goes without saying that this has put an end to the hens free roaming sessions for now - I don't want to lose another hen to the fox.

Otherwise all the young chicks are doing well. I've been letting Chirpy (now 16 weeks old), Sooty, Sweep and Blondie (all nearly 14 weeks old) out into the pen with the senior hens under strict supervision. At first the senior hens were not impressed and sent Chirpy running for cover! Hopefully they will learn to tolerate each other and sort the pecking order out without too much trouble. I'm pretty sure that Sweep is the only female out of the four younger hens, and I have to say Chirpy has been giving her some unwanted attention lately, which is why I decided to start letting them all mix with the older hens. It should hopefully take the pressure off Sweep and also give Chirpy some other females to chase after (if he is man enough to try)! Chirpy's crowing has also improved dramatically (don't know where he has been getting lessons) but he still seems a bit self conscious about it. There's no sign of Blondie or Sooty starting to crow yet.

Coco, Nano, Pinky and Perky (all now 10 weeks old) are also doing well and have daily access to a large enclosed run. The Quail (now nearly 8 weeks old) are laying two or three eggs every day and seem to be perfectly happy in the greenhouse. At least in there they are safe from the fox, but I'm thinking about making them a movable ark so that they could get out on the grass at least during the day when the weather is good.