Generally we gather about 3 dozen eggs from our 50 hens each day.  Lately, however, the egg production has taken an unwanted dive.  That always makes a farmer suspicious.

Since the flock of hens is let out of the coop near the noon hour, hens wander in search of interesting additions to their diet.  The bugs and worms mixed with bits of grass and weeds in the cow pasture make their lives and eggs more interesting.

After the evening chores, my husband has noticed some tell-tale chicken feathers in the calf pasture.  When the chickens roost in the hen house for the night, he counts them.  Sure enough, another hen is missing! 

Now, who is the culprit? A weasel will sneak into the hen house and bite at their heads and leave the rest of the chicken alone.  But a fox or coyote could dare to come within range of the hen yard to grab the whole animal.  That seems to be the case.

My husband has been watching.  He has spied a fox and her kit coming to the calf pasture for a little fast food.  He has noticed that they come nosing around the farm at about 4:30 in the afternoon.  They have been successful in getting the chickens.  We have lost about a dozen so far.

Now is the time for this good farmer to come to the aid of his chickens.

He will lie in wait.  The dog will do his part.  Look out foxes!  You would both be better off if you found a new restaurant.