These shots were taken in the night by the wildlife camera. It seems that there is a blow out in the center of the camera’s field, which is making it hard for us to see what is there. Whether this is because of the white building (though there is not much white left on that side) or the camera itself I don’t know. But there was definitely something there.
The header has been enhanced. This are the original shots.
Later this (I have enhanced this one too) .
I am fairly sure this is Scrapper. Cool shot actually. Thank you wildlife camera.
Sadly, although we have had no more break-ins, two more old chickens died today, not a mark on them, just laid down and died in the chook house in the daylight. They had been looking a bit puffy at breakfast. Poor old things. I have no idea what to make of that.
Good morning. Weirdly the remaining chickens are laying extremely well.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
your friend on the farmy
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
56 responses to “What Do You think This is?”
If that’s not a skunk maybe a visiting black and white cat? Awe C. so sorry about your hens…hopefully they just layed down and that was it, without the horrid stress of the others before dying. Ugh! Please show us some photos of your breads…they sound so yummy!
I wonder if scrapper saw the intruder off?
I vote for skunk in the first shot and cat In the second. Our hens lived about 7 or 8 years before they keeled over. I have read that chickens can live to 15 years, but none of mine ever made it that long.
This sure looks like the skunks I’ve seen skulking around here, Celi. Looks to be the right size, too, comparing it to Scrapper’s pic. Surprised to see only one, though. Around here, Mama is out with her litter following closely behind. Sorry to hear about the loss of another pair of chooks. I hope you’ve successfully closed all the holes in the colander so that the remaining members of your flock can relax again. The sooner our weather improves, the better it will be for everyone. Have a great night!
Your flock has had a rough trot, but I’m glad to hear the latest losses weren’t due to the mink. Sometimes, chickens just die for no apparent reason – we found that out the hard way with our little backyard flock.
Great pic of Scrapper. Your chooks .. Hmm. I have had several at various times young or old die for no apparent reason. I adore my chooks Celi. They get the best tucker, housekeeper (me). Tonics you name it! But from time to time they die. Perhaps all the activity lately has been a bit much for the lovely old girls! Yours are laying nicely, and mine are going into slow down mode.
Skunk. You’ve had a very hard winter and it sounds like it took a toll on the ‘girls’. xx
Definitely looks like a weaselly-type creature.
Sherlock Celi is on the trail.
As if there is not enough to do on the farmy without having to be Miss Marple . . . actually don’t think she would have gotten too far here 🙂 ! Mad being practical and knowledgeable as he always is!!
I’m voting skunk, too. I had no idea that skunks would eat chickens, though…or do we think he’s just lurking looking for Ton Ton?
he is looking for Ton!! ha ha .. true. No it is the mink that is killing the chickens.. the skunks are just a nuisance in comparison.. c
I’d say skunk, too. I thought Scrapper was a zebra there for a minute. 😉 Sorry to hear you lost two more hens.
Definitely a skunk. Your camera is too close for the flash. That’s why you have that big white spot. Might try positioning it from more of a side angle.
there is a very common ailment that effects chickens but I cant remember what its called. There is nothing can be done when they get it. I had a few chickens die and so ended up sending one for tests after it died and that was what was found. They also can get a liver complaint so if they puff out really big and waddle rather than walk its usually due to this (that is a very painful condition!) Do you worm them because they can suffer with gape worm and they end up not being able to eat and subsequently die. Also if they become egg bound that can kill them too. That’s all depressing I know, but hopefully yours just died of old age. Love to read all your news it brightens up my day (apart from the sad bits)
Thank you jane, they were old girls and now that i have caught and examined every single one i have found a number of them with bite marks on their necks, it is possible that these old girls died of fright, never mind what diseases the minks carried.. this liver complaint is interesting too, i will research that one further, thank you.. c
SKUNK! Run!