Where is Crow?

You may recall that I posted recently on Facebook that my game hen, Crow, is AWOL.

I first suspected a predator. I lost another hen not long ago to neighboring rogue dogs whose people refuse to confine them to their own property. I witnessed that particular event so I'm not just casting stones. Thus, it was logical to conclude that Crow might have become a meal. While it was an upsetting conclusion, I'm realistic enough to know it was bound to happen eventually. She refuses to shelter in the safety of the pen.

My own dog had her hemmed up against the fence a couple of months ago and that subdued Crow for awhile but she soon resumed her escapist ways. I would only know she made it through the day ok when I would collect eggs and see her smallish white one nestled among the blue, green and tan eggs of my other hens. Crow is the only hen I have who lays white eggs. Hers are delicious! They're the perfect size to fry for an English muffin or a slice of toast. They're always rich and have a dark yolk-likely due to her constant foraging. She eats feed that I provide, but she gets a lot out in the yard, too. Luckily, in the evening when I'd close the coop, there she would usually be.

It was last week, early in the week, that I noticed she wasn't in the coop. The next day she was, though, and I thought little of it. Then she was gone again and while I scouted around for her after dark with the red light (chickens can't see red light), I couldn't find her. Josh said it was because she's black and it was dark out and we have about 590 excellent hiding spots in our half-wooded yard if a hen wants to disappear. He had a point and I tried not to be too upset. Sure enough, I saw her the next day...for about a minute. 

Then I saw Lizzie eating a white egg and it occurred to me that I hadn't gotten a Crow egg in about a week! She's not my most prolific layer, but when she's laying, I can usually count on three to four eggs a week from her. Now it appeared Lizzie had found a stash. But I couldn't find it! And I hunted it, believe me. I read a blog about "hidden eggs" and how it's dangerous for the hen and attracts predators, etc. But Lizzie wasn't talking and Crow was officially missing. I hadn't seen her in three days.

But I was hoping she had gotten broody. I have Speckle, my usually broody hen, mothering two Cochin bantam chicks, so I know game hens can get broody.

But Crow hadn't shown any signs of it before. She's about the same age as Speckle-I got Crow about two months before I got Speckle, but Crow was about two months old when I got her and Speckle was about four months old when I got her. I figured Crow wasn't the broody type.

But then I saw her! She was on the fence rail waiting for me to let everyone out of the pen. She hopped down into the pen and ate when I put out the food and water. Her feathers were all puffed out and she was clucking like Speckle at her broodiest! Ah, yes! I guess the hormones just hit her later! Speckle is on her third set of chicks. She sets on adopted eggs, but she gets the urge regularly-I just don't have a rooster up to Speckle's standards. So she hatches adopted eggs. She just loves being a mama! I don't blame her.

Crow is more like the thirty-year-old

career woman who was waiting to find herself before agreeing to be a mother. She's a bit less selective about a mate, though. These are Crow's own eggs, not adopted ones. And, I know who the daddy is!!!

Yup, it's Captain! He's the biological father of Speckle's adopted chicks. Flossie, the biological mother, also has shown no broody signs, in spite of the reputation of her breed to go broody at the drop of a hat. Just goes to show, you never know! Flossie is less than a year old, though. And she took forever to lay her first egg, so I figured she might be a late bloomer. I can't say why I didn't think the same of Crow.

I watched Crow after she ate that morning. I wanted to see her secret spot! She boldly made her way into the woods. I didn't follow, but I kept watching. She scratched around in the underbrush for a bit. I guess for a tasty nibble. Then she furtively looked around as if to make sure no one observed her. I was pretty far away and generally no threat, so I guess I didn't count. Then she hightailed it into...the dilapidated abandoned well house!

This is the original well, dug in 1964, when the house was built. It's still in there, just capped off. I could do a whole other blog on the wells on my property-a story for another time, perhaps. This one has basically turned into a garden shed/catch-all for pots, mulch, soil, implements, etc. The door has rotted off, Josh has left a sheet of tin in front for some forgotten reason. It's pretty much a mess. I now call it the Motel 6. I don't know why Crow would choose the Motel 6 over the Hilton:

Or even, the Ramada:

I can only conclude that privacy is a major factor. Speckle and her babies currently occupy the Ramada. The Hilton is full of about 50 other residents--not an exaggerated number. So, I figure Crow wanted some place quiet and off the beaten path. I think she chose fairly well, ha ha. It's brick, so not drafty-a plus in our recent stormy weather. The roof is solid and doesn't leak. The biggest drawback is lack of security. For example, the paparazzi had no problem gaining access:

So could any number of unwanted visitors, including my Lizzie. But, Crow is wily, and I think she's relatively ok here until the chicks hatch. I think Motel 6 has been abandoned long enough not to attract any attention. And Lizzie has been a lot better lately, guarding the chickens rather than chasing them. But when there are peeping babies, I will move them all into the Ramada. It will be ok. Speckle will be about ready to relocate by then anyway. 

As far as Crow goes, I'm frankly afraid to try to move her nest of 8 precious eggs before they hatch because Crow is a first time mother. Speckle trusts me very much and I've moved her while setting on eggs before with no issues. But Crow is less trusting-she likes Josh better-and I don't want her to abandon these eggs. It could happen. Given my timeline of Crow sightings lately, she only has 10-14 days left before they hatch anyway. Stay tuned! I'll be sure to take photos of any babies, if we're lucky enough to get any!