Eyes wide open, Jo and I were shocked and heartbroken that the fox had claimed two more chickens. This time Madonna a New Hampshire Red and Salieri our braveheart viking of a rooster (also very handsome, I can't remember the breed and had ironically outlived our old Polish rooster Mozart but thats all a story for another day). We've had the fox claim chickens before, our beloved Cleopatra, a Spangled Hamburg and Nickel, a Columbian Wyandott who used to waddle over to us every morning so enthusiastically. I was trying really hard not to think about it. We've got something like 10 more chicks who are nearing adulthood and five guinea hen chicks that we're raising as well. But what can I say. I know they're chickens, but I miss them. And then driving down the 1/4 mile driveway on my way to work I saw a tiny kit, small enough to fit in my hand. And it was so beautiful, curious, bustling around under a shrub. I actually got out of my car even though I was a bit late and stood and watched it. I thought it would run away but it didn't. It hung out and even looked up at me a few times. And then the fox wasn't just a fox but a mama fox and a mama fox who was stealing our chickens became a mama fox who was feeding her kit(s). And they were all beautiful. Also not so related but on the way to work driving up Route 9G I saw a giant turtle (seriously something like 2 1/2 feet tall) trying to cross the street. I would have gotten out to help it but it looked like a snapper and I like my fingers. I'll have something more interesting next post, promise! Now back to assembling bee hives. We'll have 8 inhabited hives by the end of the day. Special thanks to Rich from Hummingbird Ranch, our honey and maple producing neighbor!
Thanks for reading.
-Jen
Aw, Jen, I'm so sorry about Madonna and Salieri. I really liked them and I can only imagine how you feel.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good way to think of it, that the fox was just feeding her children, but still. It's tough =/
Miss you <3
~Jess
Thanks Jessie =)
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