One of the local dogs, or a bird of prey, got the red chicken. So I've been extra careful with the beautiful Callie (Kali, the Black Godess of Hindu mythology).
She needs exercise and freedom, but she also needs to be safe from predators.
With the recent blast of snow and cold weather, I've taken to keeping her inside the house at night, in the large dog carrier, lined with newspaper and provided with food and water.
Then in the day I put her in the little hen house, all by herself, with food and water. I check on her frequently.
Well this morning I just hadn't the heart to put her out. It was so cold and snowy. So I fenced off the kitchen with chairs draped with blankets, so she wouldn't, er, insult my rugs. (As for the lino floors, all you need is paper towel and a bucket of hot water and Lysol.)
So then I took the cats upstairs and shut the connecting doors and went on the internet.
Later I heard a loud CRASH! from downstairs. I didn't worry, though, I thought she had perhaps knocked over the recycle can or something.
But then I heard CRASH! BUMP! POW! SHAZAM! so thought she'd trapped herself somehow. So I went tearing downstairs.
She had evaded my blockade. She was in the living room. She was in the process of ripping up some firewood I had placed beside the wood-stove to dry. After ants or woodlice or grubs under the bark, I suppose. It was a huge mess.
So out she went, to the chilly chicken coop.
The cats placidly licked their fur and smirked. They didn't actually say "I told you so," they have too much class. But their message was clear.
I had put the ripped-up logs away and partly tidied up before I took this picture.
Here. The original mess was far worse.
Are chickens stupid?
) Then I reckon you need to dry the wood in the kitchen, with the chicken, let her inspect and clean out the juicy insect parts prior to burning.