Last Thursday, I did my normal routine of coming home from work and going out to feed the animals. It was so hot, by the time I was done, I was a wet drippy mess. I went inside, got ready for a shower and the doorbell went off over and over again. I found some clothes, got dressed and went outside.

There were two men in the yard. One was on his cell phone and the other had walked past my garage and was looking at my chickens. He looked at me and asked in broken English if my {black & white chickens with a crazy hairdo} White Crested Black Polish chickens were for sale. I told him I had just come in from the heat and needed a shower. Let me think about it; I might be willing to sell a couple and to check back with me on Sunday.

Saturday morning I got up to do my normal feeding. Everything was fine until I noticed that I was missing one rooster and eight hens of the White Crested Black Polish. None of the other breeds were gone. The birds were just about old enough to start laying. No missing feathers, no broken into pens, they were just gone. Sunday rolled around and no one stopped by to ask about buying the birds.

The timing could just be bad. It could just be a coincidence.

It totally gets my goat. I work. I earn my own money. I purchased and raised them from chicks. I invested in their care. They were safe in their runs. Now, they are gone.

Over the years, I can say I’ve dealt with an owl, dog, skunk, hawk and now … a human. Each step I have learned, modified and fortified the chicken pens and chicken yard in an effort to keep them safe. Clearly, it wasn’t enough. This week, I will be investing in security cameras and adding barbed wire across the top of the fence.

We’ll see how it goes.