I am sooooooo annoyed (again)....... chickens dead!

[di]

Matthew,is there anyone down there that's supportive to you?How's the secretary?Sounds like it's time to have a chat with him/her??
You can possibly understand they may have had their doubts when you first took on your plot,unfortunately it's the not so good teens that make a reputation for the rest of you...but by now they've got to accept that you're serious about your plot,you've put a lot of work into it & I can't see why they're not more encouraging to you!
If there's someone there that seems to have it in for you,then you should be able to speak to the secretary about it...I don't normally encourage running to squeal on people,but if you genuinely believe that someone as opposed to something was responsible for your chooks death,then it's time you reported it...petty arguments are one thing...but savagely killing your chickens is criminal & a definite step too far & needs to be sorted!
Good Luck with it!

[Snadger]

Maybe time to get the Police involved if you suspect two legged toerags? You may not have the dead chooks to show them but you have the photographic evidence!

[matthew2riches]

I am sad to say that it COULD be (a few people know who I am on about) that has ordered this killing! He is the one that has wanted us off since day 1!

He knows the chickens were the only thing stopping me giving up the plot. Thinking that I am going to give in lol I will wait a few weeks and might borrow some Geese and put them in the run?

I have spoken to the police but nothing has come of it as of yet due to the lack of evidence. I am also trying to get through to the council.

The press said they are going to put something in the paper and they are working on that today.

Will keep you updated.

[Pumpkin Becki]

This is really saddening Matthew. I hope you can get to the bottom of this, it seems very messy all round. You've been given your plot fair-and-square and paid your rent, if bully-boy tactics are being employed to try to scare you off, then that person should be the one to go/lose their position at the allotments. If only there were some evidence.

I'm sending you my very best wishes, and hope you can sort this out.

[Snadger]

I am sad to say that it COULD be the field secretary that has ordered this killing! He is the one that has wanted us off since day 1!

He knows the chickens were the only thing stopping me giving up the plot. Thinking that I am going to give in lol I will wait a few weeks and might borrow some Geese and put them in the run?

I have spoken to the police but nothing has come of it as of yet due to the lack of evidence. I am also trying to get through to the council.

The press said they are going to put something in the paper and they are working on that today.

Will keep you updated.

Good on you Matthew..........don't let the bastards get you down!

[matthew2riches]

Have just heard that the camera that is in the council compound next door to the allotment field has not been connected ever since the council moved offices a few years back!

Snadger - Don't you worry I won't! I've just got to get the press to publish an article so whoever did it knows I am on their case.

The hens have been there for a year and a half and have lived happy for all the time with no predators ever trying to get in. Somebody has done this!

[bluemoon]

Fingers crossed that the CCTV gives you some evidence. I firmly believe that everyone should be given a chance and by the sounds of it you have proved your dedication over a period of months. Am I right in assuming from an earlier post that you were not wanted because you are young? Well, sorry, but you must have a really stupid set of people there, I'd rather have a hardworking teenager on my site than any number of fair-weather older people. Would they rather you were hanging about outside the site, waiting for a chance to break in like so many are? In my opinion this makes the people on your site worse than the casual vandals because this isn't mindless, this is considered and vindictive. I hope the newspaper does an article and shames these people.

Sorry, our posts crossed, Typical about the CCTV, isn't it?

[Nicos]

It does sound rather like someone has- but it may not have been a personal thing- just randomly picked out your chooks...are you the only one with a cockerel?- maybe they wondered if a cockerel would put up a good fight protecting his gals- and that'd be more fun to watch
Any neighbours who coud have been rritated by his calling in the early hours???...the sound does travel a fair way..

..just a few thoughts

The problem with an electric fence- is that they are darned expensive - and can be swithed off by 'bullies' at the click of a switch- or just nicked...it ought to keep away wildlife though.

I'd keep some at home to be honest- (but no cockerel ) if your neighbours are OK with that...and just use the plot for fruit and veg.

[matthew2riches]

Nicos. I wouldn't have the electric fence down the allotments!!!!!!! That would be for my garden lol.

It isn't a neighbor as the committee have said that there were actually no written complaints from residents. It is (a few people on here know) that wants us off.

He knew how much those chickens meant to me and that they were the only reason I still had the allotment. I cannot stand mindless bickering and would have left. But I am most certainly staying now!!!

[Nicos]

Can you keep pigs on your lottie??/...one of our neighbours did when we had a local council lottie!..that'd give them a shock!!

[Snadger]

Can you keep pigs on your lottie??/...one of our neighbours did when we had a local council lottie!..that'd give them a shock!!

Yeah......and if Matthew finds out who dunnit he could do a Hannibal Leckter and feed them to the pigs!

[lizzylemon]

Hey Matthew - sorry to hear that the CCTV was worse than useless but not surprised... they never seem to work when they're needed. But I just wanted to say I'm really pleased that you're keeping your lotty going. I can't even begin to understand why anyone would want to anyone else off a patch - it's utter b***cks at the end of the day but unfortunately we can't all be caring, nice humans.

I hope the newspaper article shames the person (alleged) responsible even if no names are mentioned. Keep going, one day they will get theirs (I mean from Karma) . MASSIVE HUG

[growingkasbar]

Have only just read this post and my heart goes out to you matthew. To think that someone would actually do this on purpose is horrific. I dont have any chickens myself but we used to when i was younger. Ours were given away which i know is not the same but i was devestated. Its surprising how quickly you become acustomed to them being there. I hope you get to the bottom of this and if it was two legged vermin i hope they get what they deserve! Its awfull to think it could be someone from the allotment too. Allotments should be a friendly community type place with everyone looking out for one another. OOOO it makes you so cross when people do things like this there is no need

[kiwirach]

Matthew, i'm sorry to hear of this.
is it worth going back to whoever you asked about the cctv and ask if anyones enquired about it recently as well?. not sure what can come of it, however, if you know its there and it covers the allotment as well, chances are your fellow plotholders will also. if there have been a few enquiries, the police may be able to follow it up via phone records....i dunno....just a thought.

[Hilary B]

Geese might be worth a try, if you can get an established pair, and the gander a right bolshy *&^*&^^%$$. Young geese are probably not 'tough' enough, and a good pair right now will be brooding, so not likely to ba available.
Lack of predator before isn't indicative (they sometimes just arrive) but it does sound like that one was introduced deliberately by someone either with an agenda, or merely a viscious idea of a prank, That would almost certainly be a ferret.
Was there any kind of strong smell around when you found them? Ferrets, polecats etc do stink (although in the open, it may disperse in not-very-long)!