We’re back on the Homestead now. Every day, Farm Girl gets a little bit better and we no longer need to be five minutes from the hospital. As expected, from the hounds to the cats, to the menagerie and gardens all is well (the Casa Kimberlains know the drill) except…
In all our other Homesteads, a resident hedgehog was a thing to be celebrated; pest control second to none. When you have chickens, though, not so much. It seems, in Sunday’s early hours, a hedgehog went after Chook. Mum and chicks. The chicks are fine, but with her gnawed on legs and battle scars, we weren’t expecting Mum to live. We figured without her feistiness. We’ve moved her into the A Frame, with the door closed overnight to keep her safe as she’s not up to protecting herself at the moment but. her babies refused to follow her so we were expecting the worst this morning. But, no, all six greeted us this morning, full of vigour and demanding breakfast. Their wariness and sprint speed not only makes them difficult to photograph.
Another happily ever after (the fly struck is lamb is now skipping happily round the paddock, totally indecernible from the rest of the flock)? Time will tell but, in the meantime, don’t believe all those hedgehogs tell you. Like all of us, they have a definite dark side!
Union Homestead 
Best wishes to Farm Girl.
Thank you. It all seems to be going well
Good news on all fronts! I did not know that hedgehogs would go for something as big as a chicken! We don’t have them here.
I didn’t either until the move here allowed our chickens more freedom. There is a definite downside to freeranging
Phew, what a story! I didn’t realize that hedgehogs live in New Zealand. And yes, like all of us, they certainly have their dark side. Glad all is well!
I certainly look at them differently now; I used to lure them into my garden with catfood
We were visiting friends once when we heard the most appalling screaming from outside. It was a hedgehog attacking one of the chickens with fatal effects for the chicken.
I’m not sure what happened to this one as they usually stick around but there is no evidence of it this morning.
Poor Chook! Hedgehogs are very surprising creatures and are near to extinction here where they are native.
I am so pleased Farm Girl has got through her last (hopefully) eye operation. 🙂
So are we, re Farm Girl’s operations. Ss for hedgehogs and extinction: Ive got a few here Id happily return to sender 😁.
That would be a fantastic idea if we could sort that out. Make it a national project!
Poultry in Australia not only have to worry about foxes but the native carnivorous phascogale doesn’t mind tasty chicken as well. I am glad hedgehogs weren’t introduced into Australia. Thumbs up to Farm Girl!
You guys dodged a bullet with the hedgehogs!