"Leads? Yeah, sure. I'll check with the boys down at the crime lab."

Behold, a dozen golden eggs. We leave for a few days, and the ladies have a full carton waiting on us. What's not to like?

Nothing. Any animal that makes me breakfast is always welcome at my home. Which is why it pains me to report that two more of our flock - the black and white Domineckers - have fallen victim to another (or the same) neighborhood predator.

A tribute to our fallen hens

So far, we've lost four birds. (Now, only the original three Rhode Island Reds remain.) Our only clues to the identity of our predator(s) are the location of the kills. The ducks were attacked back in the bamboo grove, while these two chickens were killed in the more exposed, open part of their run.

Hawks are certainly a possibility, at least for the deaths of the chickens. There's a nest in a nearby pine, and theres always a few circling overhead. But it could also be a number of other animals: foxes, dogs, raccoons, garden gnomes, rogue poultry murderers, etc. Whatever it is, it should know it has started a war. I just recently saw the movie Fantastic Mr. Fox, so I'm already in the mood to do battle with varmints. Bring it on.