Farming can be hard some days.  Things happen when you have flocks and herds of creatures in your care, and sometimes there is nothing you can do to fix it.

Mink happen.

And racoons sometimes. Or eagles, or hawks and even the odd turkey vulture.

And lately, we have been getting our fair share of them.

Perhaps it has been the cold temperatures that have brought them all out in force. They are hungry and waking up to spring and filling their bellies.

I just wish they wouldn’t fill their bellies with the souls in my care.

We lost a little bantam chicken to “something”, (probably from the sky) on friday.  That night my dreams will filled with it’s little struggles.   I gave each of the other little bantam brothers & sisters an extra pat on the head.  Watching our rooster the next day you could see his stress and anxiety and he tried to keep a closer eye on his flock.

And then this morning, we woke up to carnage in the duck house.  A mink broke through the door and killed our 6 beautiful runner ducks.  Marley, Ping, Rocket, Gummie, Shadow and Neptune.

What mink needs 6 full grown ducks?

These poor little creatures had a bad end, and both hubby and I are devastated.

And they had just started laying for us as well.  This past week we enjoyed 4 beautiful duck eggs.

It is days like this on the farm that I just want to curl up and cry. Or pull my flock to me to keep them safe.

And honestly, wear mink people.  It’s ok. I am keeping my eyes open for a mink stole and will wear it proudly in memory of my beautiful ducks.