August 29th 2007

Hatty And Guinea Fowl Chased By Dogs

Yesterday my guinea fowl and Hatty the hen were chased by dogs. By the time I arrived on the scene, as I had been recuperating in bed from a 24 hour sickness bug, 26 free ranging guinea fowl and Hatty the hen were scattered all over the farmyard.

An hour later all the guinea fowl were back and accounted for, but there was no sign of Hatty. Fortunately only one of the guinea fowl was injured. When I found him he was crouched behind some grass and was petrified. I believe that he had been pinned to the floor by one of the dogs which has resulted in a slightly bald patch on his back!

Once all the guinea fowl were in their huts for the evening I was able to concentrate on looking for Hatty. Although some people might think that Hatty is just a hen, I don’t. She was the first hen I ever had and because she is a laying hen I have given her a name and she is really my pet. Over the three years that I have had Hatty she has brought me and my family immense joy. My 3 year old nephew Luke has even adopted Hatty as a birthday gift and whenever he sees a white hen or a white egg he will mention Hatty the hen.

Round and round the farmyard I searched and shouted for Hatty. I looked in the hedgerows to see if she was hiding. My fear was that she had been injured and I couldn’t help her. It wasn’t looking good as I had even found some white feathers in the farmyard that looked just like Hatty’s.

By 7pm Hatty had still not returned and so I had resigned myself to the fact that if she had not returned by the morning, Hatty had been lost to the dogs. In a melancholy mood I began to think about what Hatty was doing the last time I saw her that morning. My thoughts were interrupted when Steve rushed in to say that Hatty was well and not a feather harmed. He had found her sitting on top of the forklift. I dashed out to check for myself and was relieved to see she was ok. A good end to the day.

Posted in: Diary Extracts

20 Comments »

  1. Hi Sara, thanks for your comment on my photo, it is great to receive them. I had already put you into my favourites to look through. I know I am going to be interested in your blog as I was born, brought up and lived until I was seventeen on a farm in West Sussex as my dad was a pig stockman. My goal in life is to be able to move back out into the country again one day, that is where my heart is. Look forward to hearing from you again soon.

    Comment by THIS IS MY PATCH — August 29, 2007 @ 12:43 pm

  2. Hi This is my patch,
    I am glad you have visited me and that you like the look of my blog. Life on the farm is always hectic but fun too. all the wildlife to be seen in and around the farm is amazing. nature has so many delights to share with us.
    Thanks for your comment.
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — August 29, 2007 @ 12:57 pm

  3. Oh, so glad the gal was OK. I’ve begun to think of Hatty the Hen as a character who provides great photos, fun little ditties, and perfect farm lore!
    Hooray for Hatty!
    Boo to the dogs!

    Comment by BoggyWoggy — August 29, 2007 @ 12:59 pm

  4. Hi BoggyWoggy,
    It was a hair-raising moment or hours until she returned safely. It’s amazing how attached you can become to a hen, but like cats and dogs, hens have fabulous characters too. Thanks for your comments as usual. I knew you would be upset if Hatty was gone.
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — August 29, 2007 @ 1:17 pm

  5. What a scare! Poor things (both of you!!)

    Comment by Michelle — August 29, 2007 @ 3:18 pm

  6. Hi Michelle,
    It was a bit of a worry. Everytime I see a dog walker I hope that they have their dog on a lead or under control. It’s sometimes hard raising livestock. Thanks for your sympathy and comment.
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — August 29, 2007 @ 3:25 pm

  7. So glad that Hatty is ok.
    I give names to lots of my hens. Like you, I don’t think any animal is just “A Hen” or “a Dog” as some people seem to think. They are all an important part of our every day lives.

    Comment by Diane — August 29, 2007 @ 3:27 pm

  8. Hi Diane,
    Thanks for your kind words. Yes it is cruel when people say it is just a… When my beloved kitten Tigger passed away a few years ago someone I knew said oh it’s just a cat. How cruel. One of the dog owners yesterday told the other dog owner that it didn’t matter as they were just birds that would be eaten anyway so what did it matter. Hatty is not a bird for the table but my beloved pet, just like their dog is their pet.
    Thanks for visiting and commenting.
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — August 29, 2007 @ 3:32 pm

  9. Hi Sara,

    I’m glad Hattie is alright. I lived on a farm with friends in the late 1970s and we had some hens that I was pretty attached to. I was hanging clothes on the line when I heard the most awful sound and realized the dogs had gotten into the chicken coop. I think it was our nutty goat that had created the opening for the dogs. It wasn’t pretty although I did save some of the hens. Your story took me back a few decades. I am relieved that you found Hattie. Thanks for visiting my site. Take care, Carver

    Comment by Carver — August 29, 2007 @ 5:19 pm

  10. Hi Carver,
    Thanks for your kind words. Sometimes a story, a sound, a picture or even a smell can send you back in time and evoke distant memories. Thank you for sharing your memories with me.
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — August 29, 2007 @ 5:23 pm

  11. I’m glad that you found Hattie and that she is alright. I can’t imagine anyone saying that she’s just a hen. She’s YOUR hen and you have a bond. I hope you won’t ever let anyone talk you into minimizing what a wonderful thing that bond is.

    Comment by Cheysuli — August 29, 2007 @ 5:36 pm

  12. Hi Cheysuli,
    Thanks so much for your kind words about Hatty. She is a lovely hen and has become a bit of a well loved character on this site. Thanks for your visit.
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — August 29, 2007 @ 6:06 pm

  13. Sara
    Sorry that you have had so much upset, but farming is full of joys and sorrows, any way in the end you did find Hatty. I hope that the rest of the Guinea Fowls soon recover and are not set back in their egg laying.
    Thanks also for all the hard work you put into Farming Friends, I and I am sure many others are getting a lot of enjoyment out of your blog
    John

    Comment by Farmer giles — August 29, 2007 @ 7:09 pm

  14. Dogs can be a menace with wildlife. I am so pleased that Hatty was found safe and sound.

    Comment by Cottage Smallholder — August 30, 2007 @ 5:25 am

  15. Hi Cottage Smallholder,
    I really like dogs and would have one on the farm myself but my thoughts now turn to my free ranging poultry. I would have to get a puppy and train them well not to go for my birds - if that is possible. The cats are frightened of the guinea fowl and can be seen scattering in all directions when the guinea fowl gang head their way!
    Yes it was such a relief when Hatty turned up. I would have missed her dearly.
    Thanks for visiting and commenting as always.
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — August 30, 2007 @ 6:14 am

  16. Hi John,
    Yes I agree farming brings with it lots of highs and lows. I am pleased to say that the goodtimes and enjoyment outweigh the upset and sorrow.
    The poor male guinea fowl is a little bald now but I’m sure the feathers will grow back soon.
    Thank you so much for the compliment and kind words about my website. I thoroughly enjoy writing my posts and it is great to know that others are enjoying it too.
    Thanks again for your regular comments and visits.
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — August 30, 2007 @ 6:17 am

  17. What a clever hen is your Hatty. Glad she had the sense to fly up out of harm’s way.

    I hope you are fully recovered from your 24 hour wog, Sara.

    Comment by Alice — August 30, 2007 @ 8:23 am

  18. Hi Alice,
    Hatty is such a clever hen. She often fools me! Yes I am beginning to feel much better - thanks for asking.
    I always appreciate your visits and comments.
    Sara @ farmingfriends

    Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — August 30, 2007 @ 8:51 am

  19. Hi Sara. I’m so pleased Hatty survived. Dogs should always be kept under control. What a stupid dog owner. I know someone who had sheep mauled by a dog and I cannot understand how people can own any pet and not keep it under control. Trisha

    Comment by Trisha — August 31, 2007 @ 8:03 pm

  20. Hi Trisha,
    Thank you for your kind words. I love dogs and would like one but I do worry about my hens. Being a pet or livestock owner is not easy.
    Thanks for visiting and commenting. Sara @ farmingfriends

    Comment by Sara @ Farming Friends — September 1, 2007 @ 11:04 am

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