The interloper this time was a possum. It was found guilty of three counts of chickicide, three counts of depriving my family of future Sunday dinners, and one count of not finishing its supper. The charges of eating hidden eggs were dropped.

It was taken from the farmyard area and summarily executed in my father-in-law's north forty.

Also have a chick suicide to report. Last night as I was leaving the coop, I noticed that one of the Barred Rock chicks had taken the occasion to perch on top of the chick feeder. I told it, "You better get over with the others so you stay warm. Otherwise you'll freeze to death." When I checked on the chicks this morning, it had done exactly that. It was still there on top of the feeder. If its IQ was no better than that (not that I expected it to understand me, but I expected its instincts to lead it to the heat lamp and the other chicks for warmth), then it's better off being out of the gene pool.

Okay, I talk to my animals while I'm out doing my chores. But my daughter talks to them in French.