Today I was in and out of the house for various reasons. The girls (big and little alike) rushed to meet me each time – they always expect snacks. How can I deny such enthusiasm?
At about 1pm I went out to get eggs. Everything was hunkey dorey.
John got home at 4pm. He came in from the back and asked, “Was there a chicken showdown today?”
You see, there’s been LOTS of posturing going on the past few days. I’ve wondered if it’s pecking order being worked out, or if it’s roos starting to feel the effect of puberty.
We went outside and he showed me this sight – LOTS of white feathers. No blood – but LOTS of white feathers. There were a few more over further into the front yard. And just a smattering by the back porch – but these ones from a Blue Andalusian.
So who is missing white feathers? Or is someone missing? We did a quick survey and can’t seem to find our big girl white chickens – the California Whites. Oh dear. (Shelley, of course, is still broody and is safely tucked away in the dog kennel sitting on her dozen eggs happily.)
We did a quick head count and found the White Ameraucana – I’m wondering if this one is a girl or a boy! See… (sorry, fuzzy! He/She wasn’t so sure he/she was happy to have a close up picture taken!)
Look at those tail feathers… They’re definitely longer than the average hen’s… Only we’ve only ever had one Ameraucana – Crayon – and she’s definitely an egg layer!
Anyway – found the White Ameraucana. He/She? was fine – missing no feathers.
Found all four of the remaining Delawares. All present and accounted for – no missing feathers, either.
So… that leaves the California Whites. What could have happened? We do have a new neighbor two houses down – with big dogs – that have been seen roaming freely this week. Our neighbor across the street was quite cross with them and their owner yesterday over some destruction they did in her perfectly manicured yard.
When putting the girls to bed tonight and doing a head count, we realized that, indeed, one of California Whites (the no-name one), AND one of the Blue Andalusian baby girls are missing.
STINK!
When did this happen? I was in the house – at the kitchen sink (looking out over the coop and side yard), at the desk (looking out from a different angle over the coop and the side yard), in the laundry room (same view, slightly different angle), my room (looking into the branches of one of the Camellia’s they hang out on during the day often). How did I not hear anything?!
This is not a good outcome thus far! Two of the big girls gone, two of the little girls gone.
Wondering if I should be worried – a lot. Some worry will come perfectly naturally, of course! That’s just paranoid Mom’s way!
It makes me glad we’ve got Shelley setting on those dozen eggs, though! I wonder what the outcomes/odds on successful hatch will be. We’re ten days in on her setting – here’s hoping she takes her job seriously!
I’ll update if we find out anything else. I sure hope it wasn’t those new neighbor’s dogs!
Known By Name 
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Ooh, chickens! I’ll be honest, I had no idea there were so many “kinds”. We just had chickens – period. My grandparents had a coop in their back yard. As a little girl, grandma and I would go out to the coop in the morning to check for eggs for breakfast. I was terrified of those stinkin’ things! I think they could smell fear, because the hens would come peckin’ at my heels and I’d run for dear life, screaming all the way!
Darn dogs….but even worse, the ignorance of the neighbor. Gees.