09/03/2026
I walked into my coop yesterday to a very angry broody hen. She attacked me right away. This hen is not friendly at all, but the veracity of the attack was odd even for her. I quickly found out the reason. Her eggs were fine without a trace. We’ve been fighting a snake problem all spring & summer. I put more eggs under her and didn’t think about it again. I checked on her several times and she was sitting on her eggs. She was still agitated, but calming down. Went out early this morning to check on everyone like I do every morning. She had passed during the night. Her back end was wounded. I have a feeling that she didn’t just move aside for the snake and it got mad. It’s a large black snake that has been feasting on eggs all season.
Vine was one of a kind. She was standoffish and mean. Not only to me, but to her coop mates as well. Normally, I don’t keep mean, bully animals here. But Vine was different. You see, Vine was the best broody momma I’ve ever seen. Within hours of hatching, she was teaching her chicks to scratch. She watched them carefully to make sure they eat what was safe for them. She shared the best of the treats with them and left the not-so-favorite treats for herself. She made them go up in the box every night and come out early in the morning. She gave them a routine. The chicks she hatched and raised were some of the smartest and most confident I’ve ever owned. Vine will be missed dearly for this reason.
I didn’t think I had a strong connection with her. But I’ve spent the better part of the morning with tears in my eyes because she’s gone.