Thursday, November 01, 2012

Poppy had a misadventure

It's a miracle that I can still photograph Poppy. She got scared today when the tree that came down in the storm was being cut up. She flew out of the fenced area that she's never flown out of and beelined it into the dense swamp toward the beaver pond! I didn't think I would EVER find her and was upset all day. I kept going out and looking and we recorded her sisters making happy noises and played it on speakers into the swamp. At about 6 o'clock when it was dusk, I went for a last look out there with the dog and I saw her! She was roosting on a fallen tree behind the goat house. She was still afraid and ran away from me. I got bread and lured her closer and sat in the rain for an hour and waited for her to roost again. Once I was sure she couldn't get down because it was too dark, I came in and got a flashlight and went back out and got her down out of the tree. She was upset when I came near and puffed up and hissed at me, but once she realized it was me, she tucked down in my arms and let me carry her all the way back across the yard to her sisters. She's now wet, but happy with her sisters in the coop where it's warm and dry. It's a sheer miracle that I got her again because she is one of my wilder chickens and does not like to be picked up. The swamp she disappeared into is populated by foxes, raccoons and coyotes as well as occasionally the neighbor's bird dog. I'm so glad she's back.

6 comments:

Carolyn said...

Oh my goodness! I'm so glad you got her back. Poor thing!

Lizzie said...

What an adventure for you both. I am glad you both got home safely.

wenhkc said...

I'm so glad you got Poppy back! That she recognized you and finally let her carry her home safely is a testament to your care and affection for your animals.

Ann said...

Poor Poppy! I'm so glad you found her and that she is safe once again, the poor little thing.

cas navy said...

I have 20 Rhode Island Reds and one of the girls got out of the fenced in area and into my neighbor's very Sticker-bushy backyard. I chased after her for almost an hour and finally decided she was just going to become some coyote's delish dinner. Later, when I went out to close up the chicken door - there she was! "The chickens will ALWAYS come home to roost!" Now I understand that old adage! And now,I NEVER chase after my chickens! I enjoyed reading your bog! Thanks! ~carol

Elizabeth said...

I'm glad your chicken came back, too! Poppy had gone a long way and made it back just to the opposite edge of our land. We were so lucky! I still look at her every day and think how lucky I was to be able to get her back unharmed. :)