Orphans

Speaking of things to feel sick about, Brown Bonnet is gone.  I found her three chicks toddling around cheeping under the coop, and her just gone.  Eventually, I found a few feathers, but no evidence of what got her.  Raccoons usually leave calling cards.

This is only the second midsummer murder and second hen to be taken ever.  The first was Cream Puff and Perchick’s mother, when they were small chicks.  Fall is the season for high alert; in the summer there hasn’t been risk.  Now two, in four years.  I don’t like it. Ugh.  Multiple Silkie hens have raised their chicks at large in the field; it’s not ok if that’s not safe for them.

I tried to introduce the chicks to Auntie Apples.  She wouldn’t have them.  I’m not feeling that maternal!  One is enough.  I don’t need any more of these noisy little pests!  And she started pecking them, so I swept them out of there.

They spent the day at large in the greenhouse, which means mostly lurking in one corner with the tomatoes, keening.  Poor little things.  They have feathers enough to be warm, but they are orphaned and sad.

Perchick looked like she’d possibly adopt them; she was clucking at them soothingly, and they’d run over to her fence, but at night I carefully tried to put one in with her, ready for the worst, and the worst happened.  The Heat-Seeking Beak came blazing out, chasing and attacking the interloping chick.  I was ready, the chick didn’t get pecked.

The three of them had cuddled up under the canvas against one of the covered wagons, so that’s where I put them, in with the little black broody.  Her head shot right up.  What are you doing?  Who are they?  I’m busy here, in case you couldn’t tell.  The chicks clustered in the back of her wagon, and she did not attack, so that’s where they spent the night.

It’s sleepytime in Silkieland.  Or maybe they just don’t want to look at the weather.

Perchick the Heat-seeking Beak, etc.

Look who’s feeling better!

Somebody has their cast off and is hopping around.  There’s a lump above her ankle that’s apparently where the bone broke and set, which means I could have done a better set, or some traction.  But considering I couldn’t tell where it was broken, it’s good she has full foot function and correct position.  Perhaps that lump will disappear by the time she’s fully grown.

Puffcheeks and Philippe, sitting on a chickery.