Snake in the coop!

Poor Elsie has had a rough time with chicks this year. She’s protective, fierce, and doting. But despite being a great chicken momma, she has lost 3 of her 4 chicks. One appears to have been trampled in the morning rush to exit the coop, another disappeared mysteriously, and Wednesday night...we found a big black snake devouring little Hattie. !!!!

We were too late to save her and Elsie was trying her best in the dark to keep baby 2 safe when we showed up with flashlight. We got the snake out and locked up the coop and mourned the loss of a little one in our care.

Last night, good momma Elsie decided to not take her baby into the coop after the previous night‘s danger. We had to help get them inside to safety (after checking to make sure there were no predators inside). Here’s to hoping the last little baby survive to adulthood!