The Chicken Tragedy

I had planned to write a great happy cheerful post about our four new little “Okokke” chicks. But unfortunately tragedy struck.

Two weeks or so back I posted about the chicks that a neighbor was giving us. We got them and built a little nest box for them. I was warned about snakes, as well as badgers and raccoons. So I used a sturdy box I found that I was told was actually built for chicks and put on new chicken wire. The kids dutifully fed and watered the little birds each morning and evening. We kept them indoors and placed their box up on a crate for further protection.

Meanwhile MB and I built a movable chicken house for when they got bigger. We used wood scavenged from various house and barn projects to put it together. The only things that we bought was the nails and the chicken wire.

Then yesterday morning MB and I went to feed and water the chicks as we always do. They were gone. The box had been torn open and the chicks were eaten on the spot.

At first I couldn’t figure out how they culprits got in. I had closed all the doors and windows. They didn’t trash the place. The only thing they touched was the chickens and their box. Then I found a spot where they had peed on the tatami. That spot was close to an area of floor where I had removed floorboards.  So they had come up from under the floor. Next I checked the house parameter and I was able to discover the point of entry under the engawa (verandah).

Apparently there is a sign here that reads “This way for all you can eat chicken buffet.”

They won’t be coming in that way again.

This restaurant is now closed.

Looking at how they got in and how they opened the box (no tooth or claw marks and it was pulled apart), I am pretty sure who the culprit was.

“Who me?”

“Naw it weren’t him, it was me!”

The kids were pretty sad about the chicks but on the other hand it was a good lesson for both them and for me. I blame myself of course. I should have taken more precautions, but I also have no experience with monkeys  badgers  at all. I won’t make the same mistake again though.