Was any other member of the flock particularly strongly bonded with her? If so, do keep an eye on them. Our Taily and Nutty were very closely bonded sisters, and when a dog carried off Taily, Nutty went into a decline and we found her in the goose tub (and like Ophelia, there was some debate as to whether she'd been merely too weak to get out, or whether it was deliberate).
Was any other member of the flock particularly strongly bonded with her?
I think Jane has been calling for her. I don't think Jane and Xena were all that closely bonded though, not like sisters Laverne and Shirley. I think it's more that Xena was Jane's night time hot water bottle.
Daria and Gabrielle, who were the usual bullying victims, seemed delighted that they didn't have to fight for breakfast.
I'm sorry about Xena. :( I hope it won't happen with any of the others.
Our friend Karen in SC has a high wire fence around her small chicken barn and its environs because of neighborhood dogs = she lives in the countryside, no one has fences there otherwise. Her fancy chickens are egg-supply and pets, not dinner candidates (though she has one crazy rooster named Butch whose aggressive challenging of her makes her occasionally imagine him as a fricassee).
We have thought about more fencing, but our yard is on such a steep hill that doing it is going to be a massive headache and expense. If I see any more loose dogs, fencing will go to the top of the list, but currently the top is occupied by 'more garden beds for veggies'.
No, I've had enough of Australorps. If I were to get another chicken (and I don't know that I need to) I would get a gold-spangled Hamburgh or a Welsummer.
Comments 21
Was any other member of the flock particularly strongly bonded with her? If so, do keep an eye on them. Our Taily and Nutty were very closely bonded sisters, and when a dog carried off Taily, Nutty went into a decline and we found her in the goose tub (and like Ophelia, there was some debate as to whether she'd been merely too weak to get out, or whether it was deliberate).
Reply
I think Jane has been calling for her. I don't think Jane and Xena were all that closely bonded though, not like sisters Laverne and Shirley. I think it's more that Xena was Jane's night time hot water bottle.
Daria and Gabrielle, who were the usual bullying victims, seemed delighted that they didn't have to fight for breakfast.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Our friend Karen in SC has a high wire fence around her small chicken barn and its environs because of neighborhood dogs = she lives in the countryside, no one has fences there otherwise. Her fancy chickens are egg-supply and pets, not dinner candidates (though she has one crazy rooster named Butch whose aggressive challenging of her makes her occasionally imagine him as a fricassee).
Reply
Reply
On the other hand, any plans to get a new chicken of that breed?
Reply
No, I've had enough of Australorps. If I were to get another chicken (and I don't know that I need to) I would get a gold-spangled Hamburgh or a Welsummer.
Reply
Leave a comment