a tale of tails, tenacity, and tedium, as told by me, usually barefoot and bellowing

Monday, March 28, 2011

Invasion...

Where others have been covered with snow, we got soaked with rain, mixed with ample doses of lightening and wind, followed by freeze warnings.  It could be better for the newly budded fruit but it also could have been worse.
The family is on alert.  The chicken house has been invaded and a hen has disappeared each night for five nights.  No tracks, no signs of what it was.  Marcy found this trail where the hens are being taken away, far from the chicken house. Repairs and reinforcement have been made to any possible entry, game cam erected, flash lights charged and shot gun loaded.

We suspect a bob cat. We have seen one above our property.  There were tracks far away from the scene of the crime but close to the feathers lost as the unknown animal carried his take-out dinner home. 

Lil is terrified to follow the trail and this is very odd.  Ki follows it, lifts her head quite often and checks her surroundings.

When the culprit is captured or eliminated, I will share the secret of our mystery intruder, until then, all we can do is try to protect the fowls and be watchful for the next attack.

23 comments:

Lou Belcher said...

Bobcats are beautiful, but stay back. They are mean... Protect all your animals... that's for sure.

be safe... Lou

ellen abbott said...

my sister was losing hens for awhile. turned out to be possums. I doubt if Lil would be worried about possums though.

Dreaming said...

Good luck in getting the varmint. We had hens taken by raccoons. I was so ticked at them and they were so clever at getting in the hen house. Then a bobcat moved in, but he preferred coon over hen

Empty Nester said...

Oh wow, this is nerve-wrackingly (I know, made up word) exciting!

Rudee said...

I love a good mystery.

Sorry about your hens.

Irene said...

Don't you have a Kentucky Fried Chicken close by instead that he could go to?

So Ki is turning out to be a real tracker. She's a good dog. She'll earn her keep at the farm yet.

I can't wait to see the camcorder shots.

Sandy said...

It's frustrating losing animals and not knowing to what. Hopefully you've batten down the hatches and won't have anymore losses.

Susan Anderson said...

Not a good situation. Hope you find the culprit soon!

"/

Country Gal said...

On our farm it was Raccoons that were stealing our chickens. Hope you get the thief. Have a good day !

LindaG said...

Good luck and be safe!

CTG Ponies said...

I hope you find the intruder soon.

Lori Skoog said...

I sure hope you find a solution to this soon! So sorry about the chickens.

DesertHen said...

Hope you catch the chicken snatcher soon! Be careful and keep that shotgun handy!

Question, were you able to see the photos on my post when you visited today? They don't show up for us, just the video, so I was wondering if others can see them?

Rae said...

Good luck capturing the chicken thief. I hate to think of a bobcat being killed, but it is necessary if it is the culprit. You got to do it to protect your animals.

Rob said...

I can't wait to see what you discover. Hope you don't have to much more damage done.

Golden Eagle said...

I hope you find whatever's stealing the chickens!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I look forward to seenin' ya catch your chicken lickin' critter!!!

God bless and be careful out there!!!

Snowed here last night...

... said...

I'd be awful disappointed myself if this were happening in our hen house. I hope y'all find out what it is and take care of business. I'll be checking back for updates on it. Good luck!

Jules said...

I'd trust Lil's instinct. Might be that Arkansas Bigfoot creature ;) Seriously, Please be careful.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Farm Girl said...

OH that is so terrible. I would be so upset. Heck I am upset reading about it. I wonder what on earth is stealing and eating your chickens. You don't hear any commotion out in the chicken pen at night?
I hope you catch it soon. We have foxes that can climb the chicken wire fence if it isn't covered.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Gail that is too bad I lost calves I know how frustrating that can be. Good luck on the hunt. B

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Such a feeling of violation! It's as bad as having a burglar break into your house and steal your things. But these things are living breathing creatures, who provide food for your family, grrr!

Sure hope you find the villian!

~Lisa

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Not exactly sure where you live..but here there is more than bobcats. Mountain lions have killed...and though raised around where they were, I am still frightened to death of them. Especially when they are on the prowl. A bobcat..is bad enough.
What?? I'm talking to a country girl here..LOL...well shut MY mouth!!!
Hugs!
Mona

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