Remembering Sally
- Wes Bocci
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
On April 3rd at approximately 3:20pm, Sally the Plymouth Rock was grabbed by a bobcat. She was free ranging in the back field with the rest of the flock, and was the last hen to follow back. I was in the chicken run when it happened and was in the process of gathering them all inside the pen. When I was one chicken short during my headcount I went around the yard looking for her.
What I found was a pile of feathers, with periodic feathers leading toward the woods. They kept going through the brush, and our dog Zorro knew exactly which paths to take. We were unable to find her remains but the trail ended three properties over, into a thicket of blackberries. We found several more feathers at the entrance to the den.
I checked the footage from a camera in the field, and it was able to capture the tail end of a bobcat running frantically into the woods, in the exact same path we followed the feather trail.
It was a sad thing to discover and we are heartbroken to lose such a sweet and unique girl. She was the first to jump to my shoulder whenever treats came out, and she would make soft “heh, heh, heh” noises in my ear to remind me, “Hey, I’m ready for the next bite.”
She would often just roost on me when I sat with them, just to nap above the rest of the flock.
The feathers where the attack occurred were gathered up today and put in a small flower pot, along with a handful of meal worm treats. Her remains are now buried near the coop, where she will be remembered and be a constant reminder that our girls need protection even in the middle of the day.
Our next step is expanding the chicken run so they have another zone to explore. From now on they will need to be closed most of the time, and cannot leave our vicinity when free ranging.
I’ll miss you Sally. 💔
