Yesterday's Wordless Wednesday post was Brook and Bill at Panmure Island beach. It was a much needed bit of peace and quiet in our lives. Things have been a bit hectic the past week and a half.
After the barn cat's abscess cleared up and he was returned (somewhat reluctantly) to the barn after four days in the house, we had an attack on the hens and rooster. Initially it looked like it may have been a coyote because of the size of the scat that was left as a calling card, but after speaking with someone who hunts, it seems likely that it was a raccoon.
Going out to feed in the morning and finding the rooster and two hens dead/gone was very upsetting. As you probably know, they are more than livestock, they are pets.
The remaining four hens were removed from the barn to a dog crate in the yard for the day for repairs and clean up. Once they returned to the barn the dogs were allowed outside.
As always, Trail was very interested in what had happened in his yard. (yes, a little hen poop was there too)
I found it amusing how he lay in almost the exact place that the crate was. He spent quite a bit of time snuffling through the wood shavings that spilled from the crate.
After the barn cat's abscess cleared up and he was returned (somewhat reluctantly) to the barn after four days in the house, we had an attack on the hens and rooster. Initially it looked like it may have been a coyote because of the size of the scat that was left as a calling card, but after speaking with someone who hunts, it seems likely that it was a raccoon.
Going out to feed in the morning and finding the rooster and two hens dead/gone was very upsetting. As you probably know, they are more than livestock, they are pets.
The remaining four hens were removed from the barn to a dog crate in the yard for the day for repairs and clean up. Once they returned to the barn the dogs were allowed outside.
As always, Trail was very interested in what had happened in his yard. (yes, a little hen poop was there too)
I found it amusing how he lay in almost the exact place that the crate was. He spent quite a bit of time snuffling through the wood shavings that spilled from the crate.
Sorry to hear about the loss of your livestock.
ReplyDeleteI'm not at all familiar with country life so the idea of barn cats has intrigued me since I first learned about them on your blog. I've been thinking it's kind of cool that they live in the barn but you care for them just the same, and they probably enjoy their barn life.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about the loss of your animals though - wow, I would never have guessed a raccoon!
I'm glad you got a bit of a break with a couple of great companions.
Trail has his own invisible crate. So sad about the hens. SHE used to have a pet raccoon as a child, so we're betting on the coyote.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your chickens :( Milo & Jet
ReplyDeleteAwwww - so sad!
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so sad. I'm so sorry! Raccoons can be so mean! We ran into one once going through the trash at night at the apartment we lived in in Canada and it hissed something fierce at us. I'd always thought they were sweet/cute before that, but this thing was big and mean. I realized they could be pretty nasty!
ReplyDeleteOh, dear, I'd have probably been hysterical :( So sorry to hear that...
ReplyDelete