the natural order

We had a lot of chickens die last night. I found what was left this morning. We had seven chickens now we have two.

I went out to let the girls out this morning and it was super quiet. Rosy, our friendliest chicken, normally pokes her head out and clucks, and she wasn't there. She was like a pet. She wanted to be picked up all the time.  There was no blood, just some feathers in the snow behind the coop. I had to leave for school right away, so I just came in and quickly told Jenny, who quickly teared up. We didn't tell the kids right away. I thought it would be better after the school day was over.

While I was at school Jenny texted me to tell me that she was tracking whatever got them. She was pretty confident it was a fox (through learning how to track with Nora's girl scout troop). I totally agree, it was a fox. It took them out to the ledge behind our house. Jenny found more feathers out by the stone wall.

I was pretty sad at first, but through the day I felt better. When Jen told Henry after school, he was as smart and self-aware as ever. He immediately flushed and went outside. He stormed back in five minutes later and started to say that he was mad, and he wanted to kill something. He stormed around the kitchen then sat next to me. "Dad... I am so angry, but I am not angry at the fox... you know... it was just doing what it needed to."

I told him that I might need to kill that fox if it comes back for the others. He became upset... "It wasn't its fault Dad..." so I told him I would use the pellet gun and make it really uncomfortable for him to come back, but I wouldn't kill it. Fair enough. I totally understand his thinking. Still, I am not going to be a Fox grocery store, and I do love our chickens.

Nora was at a Yoga class at her school. Jenny picked her up and told her on the way home. There was no tears. She dealt with it the way we all did; with balance and understanding. All in all, I am really proud of my kids. There was no drama, no hyping up of the situation. They just took it in, reacted and dealt with it. I think Jenny took it the hardest. She went out looking for any strays. There might still be some that return. Sometimes that happens I guess. She had a special love for Rosy and I know it was hard for her to look for them in the woods.

I am sad when I think of Rosy, but not devastated. It really is the natural order of things. I am going to protect what we have left, build up the back fence to be sturdier and taller this spring, and place a trap cam that I have near the coop. I hate that this happened, but I can deal with this. I guess we can all deal with it.