Snatched From the Jaws of Death

If something is going to “go down” at this place I a can, with 85% certainty, guarantee its going to go down when Kevin is away. Friday morning was no exception. Kevin had just left for a weekend BAER assignment and I was puttering around the trying to get the dishwasher loaded and laundry started when someone knocked on the door. I knew it had to be the neighbor as he’s the only one who’d knock at 7:30am. Sending a quick prayer heavenward that I at least had a bra and running pants on under my nightshirt I went to answer the door.

Sure enough, it was Randy. I got out a “morning” before he said, “ Your dog is chasin’ your Rooster around the backyard…” To which I may or may not have replied, “Oh s&!t, thanks” before slamming the door in his face (as I dashed out of the house I did think that slamming the door like that with him standing there was a little, okay a lot, rude but I'd have to deal with that later) See when Randy says “dog” I know that means…Tilly.

To most individuals Tilly looks like your typical sweet loving Labrador.

However, to rockchucks, other assorted small rodent-type critters, and chickens Tilly looks more like this::

She’s not called “Two-snap Tilly” for no reason. Captain Nimrod had hopped the fence and met up with a fuzzy black Angel of Death. There was no time to spare!

When I burst into the back yard Tilly was standing in the grass looming over a pile of black and white feathers. She literally had a paw on the Captain and was licking his neck.  I was sure I was too late, his head was gone, and I’d have to explain the facts of life and poor chicken judgement to the kids all over again. Still, in my anger I yelled, “Tilly!!” at the dog. She jerked her head up startled and the pile of feathers leapt to its feet and went madly dashing back to the chicken pen in a manner something like this:

Once I got the gate open the panicked Captain dashed into the hen house. I picked him up and checked him over. Physically he was fine no bit marks or brusing anywhere. Worried the shock might get to him I watched him pretty close for the rest of the day. Aside from cowering behind the chicken coop anytime the dogs came near he seemed fine. He’s been taken down a peg or two for the time being (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as he was getting a bit cocky…pun intended) but is otherwise fine for literally being seconds from death.

Needless to say I finally got around to reclipping wings and hung some bird netting to prevent further breakouts.

Chickie Update

There have been a few questions of how our chicken project is going so I thought I'd update you all. The chickens have all be outside for a bit over a month now and are doing great in their pen/coop. Out of the eight chicks, five turned out to be cockerels (young roosters). We planned on keeping two - Foxy, who looked like he was the poster boy for weather vanes, and Thunderbolt, a Barred Rock looking fellow with terrible depth perception (can't get the 8" jump into the coop and hits the threshold every time) and an endearing demeanor. He still lets Emilie pick him up and cart him around without too much fuss...especially if she has corn.

As with all the best laid plans....well they changed. Foxy got outfoxed by jumping the fence and running into Tilly, who turns out to be a chicken killer (grrrr). Honey is a chicken chaser So plan B came and Thunderbolt got promoted to sole rooster since the other 3 were not ones we wanted to keep.

So what of the other 3 young roosters? Mr. Peepers the Banty roosters, and the Red twins were taken over to a friend who raises a more extensive flock. They're allowed to stay as long as they mind their manners and don't pick on the other chickens (I'm guessing Mr. Peepers lasts less than a week ;P ). This friend also has lines with the Nepalese population in the valley and sells them meat birds so this may well be where the boys end up. Out of the deal we've been offered a pullet out of some chicks they have right now once they are bigger and we can tell if they are gentlemen or ladies. 3 Cockerels for a hen is not a bad deal.

Waiting Patiently, aka The Hard Part

Got 'Em!!!

This leaves us with three hens ( Carmey, Claire, and Blackberry) in the coop right now and one coming. Four hens and a rooster seems like a pretty good number for a family of four just looking for fresh eggs.