A Discovery~

About four days ago now 

we noticed that one of our Leghorns was missing.

We hadn't counted the girls recently

and were wondering how long she had been gone for.

A couple days at least, maybe a week?

We assumed that it was either a coyote or fox~

both of which are in close proximity.

Then, we saw, perched on a post

a good-sized owl checking out the girls.

Ah ha, the culprit was discovered!

(or so we thought)

Then, today, when we were picking up garbage around the yard,

Daniel said, 

"Mom, there are three Leghorns in the pen."

I said,

"No way, are you sure?"

Of course I went to look for myself, having resolved

a few days ago now that our sweet little hen was dead.

What do I find?

Three Leghorns in the pen.

(We have 30 hens, but only 3 Leghorns)

Wait, now, it's not the end of the story yet!

A few minutes later

Olivia says, "Mom, the Leghorn is gone."

"What?"  I say.

"How could she be gone, she was just here!"

And then, in that way that impressions happen,

I realize~

Our sweet hen wasn't captured by an owl,

oh, no~ 

she's been in hiding,

coming back to get a sip of water and a little food 

and then,

hiding,

yep, hiding,

and

sitting on eggs.

Of course, why didn't I think of that before!

She wasn't very happy when we moved her

and discovered all of these!

No, she wasn't happy at all and tried

to get back on her 'nest.'

Of course, we couldn't let her stay there.

The temps are dropping drastically over the 

next couple days;

and, 

snow is predicted.

Where was she?

She was under our snowmobile sled

and had about 19 eggs under her

and another 5 next to her.

There were some brown ones too, so one of her 'sisters'

must have come by to keep her company for awhile.

My, oh my!

What have I learned~

NEVER, EVER, assume!