“They’ll be all right,” I thought, since my chickens were roosting on the half wall by my pony, Tessie. “They’re in the barn. They’ll be safe.” I switched off the light on Number 5, 6 and 7. I forgot to bring their food into the barn.
The next morning, there were two feathers in the hay and no chickens. Usually Number 7 hides behind the manger. She wasn’t there.
Outside there was a line of feathers along the concrete platform that borders two sides of the barn.
Bruce peered at the limestone and found the hen’s scratches and a canid track. He found a half circle of feathers by the manure pile. I found a circle in the pasture and a bubble of grief that won’t break.
“If only I’d shut the door.” The rooster was silent the next day.
A few years ago we did the same thing. Our Barred Rocks and Buff Orphingtons were a scatter of bodies and feathers. Five, Six and Seven were the survivors.
I think of the terror I was supposed to prevent.
Yes, it’s the circle of life for a hungry coyote to eat a chicken, for nature to kill without regard to a person’s feelings or friendship with that animal.
But if you’re the one feeding the flock, maybe -- just maybe -- it’s the better part of wisdom to shut the damn door.
I’m Katie Andraski, and that’s my perspective.
