sad note about Prima

True to her moniker, Prima always hit the milestones first among the chicks. Both coming into this world, and her dramatic exit this weekend. On Saturday, I went outside to toss some treats to the chickens. At first, no one would come, then the older crowd jiggled their way across the lawn. Seeing this, the chicks followed suit cautiously. I could only count 9 chicks, and Bandit was missing as well. At last, a tattered Bandit emerged from under the big pine tree and reluctantly made her way across the lawn to join everyone else at the feast.

And I finally glanced about and saw what was left of dear prima, just a small trail of feathers.

Prima, up in the autumn olive tree, unwittingly enjoying her last few days of life

Hazel is Dante's current favorite -- she's the second of the incubator babies

Milling about in the yard, with the olive tree in the background. only the chicks are light enough to get out on the thin branches, and it drives the bigger chickens nuts that the little pipsqueaks get all the yummy berries.