The chicks were doing fine last night, we made sure they were well equipped for the night and went to sleep. The quail were in the coop, a space far too big for them, but nonetheless, they fared well in the outdoors unlike the chicks. Kym was the first one awake on Saturday and burst in my room around 8 am. She informed me that my dearest Francine had passed during the night. I had a hard time sleeping any longer, so shortly thereafter I went to investigate.

There was little Franny, on her back, wings sprawled. I dug a hole in the raspberry patch and Leif buried her. The raspberry patch overlooks the coop, and we felt it was a nice resting place for the little girl. As far as we can tell, there was no foul play, just that she was too little and fragile to last. The other chicks were doing fine and drinking and eating wildly, in upbeat spirits despite their friend missing. Now looking back, she was so weak the night before...perhaps that's why she could only fall asleep in my arms.

In light of the tragedy, our first quail egg was laid, by the red golden, Pippy, we think. The farm lady said she was about to lay, so we have the best guess that it was her. It's a beautiful white egg with black speckles.