Captured!

They just look guilty, don't they?

So our gentle flock spent a relaxing day in the coop all day Saturday. Saturday night, Jason re-baited the critter trap with a proven mix of sardines and moon pies. Sunday morning: Surprise! Not one, but TWO rather small raccoons, looking very guilty, were hunkered down in the trap.

A reckoning...

Do they know? I wonder how much their tiny brains really understand?

Joe and Nick were very curious about the raccoons and we decided to tell them the whole story about what had happened Friday night. They were a bit down, but as I explained that at first we thought three chickens had been taken, and then we found two, including Snaggletooth, and Joe was very relieved. They really seemed to take the news well. I do think it helped that the one that was lost hadn't been one we had named. I described her to Joe, however, and he did know which one I was talking about. It was a little difficult, but I don't think he's scarred. I think in some way it's good for us as humans to have a detachment from animals. It doesn't mean we don't treat them well and care for them as best we know how, but these are really farm animals, livestock, and they are around us to provide food and sustenance for our family.

The boys helped us coax the girls from the coop, and Joe promptly picked several up and gave them hugs. He is better than any of us at grabbing them quickly and carefully, and they are so patient with him!

Joe and Shortie

Nick and Snaggletooth

Nick trying to catch another chicken

Joe is so gentle with the girls

So there have been no further incidents. We baited the trap again Sunday night in case there were any other predators stalking around, but Monday morning the trap was clear. We are working off the assumption at this point that we have removed the offending attackers and we will hopefully be okay for a while. Joe and Jason let the raccoons loose about 5 miles away at a state park just north of our home.