tragedy

yesterday morning we awoke to an awful situation. i got up- and one of the first things i do when i get out of bed is open the blinds and look out to see the weather/sun, and to check on our chickens. the first image i had as i looked out our bathroom window was our bassett, dixie, walking across the yard with one of our chickens in her mouth. i screamed for will. he went running out into the backyard to stop her. it was too late.

our rooster, whom we've always disliked, is gone. we can't figure out what in the world happened. he never flies over the fence. the only thing we could come up with is that he maybe flew over to collect one of the girls (because sometimes they'll fly over) and before he could get back to the other side, dixie came over to play. (as mad as i am at her, she is a bird dog. she did what her instincts tell her to do, but we realize we have a problem now.)

so even though we never liked the rooster, he played an important role in our flock. he was their protector. he'd constantly make sure they were all near him, and he'd wait while they ate to be sure they had enough. it was strange. on one hand he'd peck all their feathers off and drove us nuts. on the other- he was very good to them. and they're lost without him. we're not sure what to do now. replace him? the ladies would never respond to a new male the same. frustrating! oh- and now dixie will likely try attacking them again. (she's got the taste of them now.) chickens aren't all fun and games- i guess.

but the chicks are fun. these are really bad pictures- but they're all we've got so far.