Yesterday morning I found a small barn swallow chick sitting on the floor of the milking parlour. I carefully replaced it in the nest and they were still all together last night.
Some sad news though. On our walk last night, as we passed into the wilder area right down the back, I came across a pile of feathers that could only be from Carlos Garcia. When I saw the teal blue in amongst the pile my head just dropped. Shocked I turned the dogs and the pig around and walked back home to get John. After putting Tima to bed for safety’s sake, we searched everywhere. No sign of a body at all.
I herded Godot into the Peacock Penthouse with the Hens and locked them up. It is hard to raise free range birds out here now. Every last chicken in the barn Across The Way has disappeared too. I know a local dog got a few of them but most went missing while IN the barn.
I know it was not Boo, he is under lock and key and my eye. And frankly he would not take a body away to eat it. We have a new predator. A very quiet one. And big. I have heard of minks taking down peacocks but they were caged. I don’t know. 
The field chickens are ok though. So far so good anyway. I left both dogs out last night. They bark on and off. All my big chooks are free range now.
Sometimes life is a bit tough. But that is one of the risks of farming here. There are wild animals around us.
But today will be better.
I hope you have a better day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
52 responses to “Barn Swallows”
What a shame. I hope you are able to find out what did it so you know what you are up against.
Sounds like a hawk tor and eagle o me. They pounce, causing a huge loss of feathers, then cart the bird into the sky away, away, to eat at their nest.
I’m sorry! Free range is tough.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
We’ve had issues with coyotes here- could it be that?
I am sorry to hear about Carlos Garcia. So, why was he down on the ground, anyway? That tells me that he was taken in the daylight as he was not roosting? We lost a 35 lb goose and her mate one night to coyotes. Not a sound. Also, raccoons ravage birds, too. Around here, everything must be locked up tight at night. Skunks will take down a big bird, too. Drat
😦
Dammit. I’m so sorry. But you can only do what you can. The barn swallow chick was a good save, Carlos Garcia and the chooks a sad loss, and elements of the environment frustratingly beyond control.
Ugh! So sorry to hear about this murder-mystery. 😦
Sad bad news 😦 Nose kisses all round.
Dreadful. Hugs, c. xx
So sorry about Carlos Garcia. He was a beautiful bird. Hope you catch the culprit!!!
Ever so sorry to hear it. If it’s a raptor, not sure what you can do. But we use poultry netting fence and that prevents the ground predators. I wonder if your state has a predator abatement program like Maine has. You can get movable electric fence and chargers for very little, on a five year payment program. Poultry net is really very effective. So sad for you.
Send you all of the above sentiments and more . . . . and a huge hug!! More words today would be insufficient by a long shot darlingHeart!
So sorry Celi. It is not easy.
Dearest C, I’m so sorry to hear about the trials of the flock! Another precious peacock down? How sad, how sad indeed. May all of the farmy contingent have a smoother, kindlier rest of their summer! You, too, my love.
xo,
K
Oh, Celi, my heart hurts for you–and Carlos Garcia. Glad you got Godot back inside. Sorry to hear you’ve lost more chickens, too. I guess even predators want good, clean food.