a very sad day, what a week...

[petal]

its all my fault. I wasn't feeling well yesterday and hence was delighted when my teenage son put the chickens etc away. Unfortunately he forgot to close the gate on the duck pen - which isn't behind electric. (I haven't told him this of course). A fox came in the night and took old daisy the silver appleyard off her eggs, killed the chocolate call duck and all but 1 of her newly hatched babies. I found him shivering and crying behind the shed and took him straight to my little girl to warm up in her dressing gown pocket.
This little survivor has been named .... lucky- of course. The fox has removed the 2 ducks but murdered and left the little bodies of the ducklings all over the garden. and left a nice pile of scat as a thankyou present. Gamekeeper notified, traps being set up, it will be back now of course. as my father used to say, the only good fox is a dead fox. Plenty of food out there for a rural fox - I bet this is another rspca give it freedom from the city nincompoop!Gamekeeper says its always the releases by do gooders that bravely encroach near people and not the resident rural fox population.If he proves his point by getting it - and it turns out to be a 'released fox'(you can tell by jaw formation) the rspca etc are going to feel my wrath - big time.

[elizajay]

Poor ducks, poor you and especially poor son - he must feel dreadful.

[petal]

I didn't tell him about leaving the gate open.....however he has spent the day researching a fox trap and making one(humane one) pretty good it is too. It will of course only be humane until we have caught it! Then hello gamekeeper....

[walldanzig]

Sorry to here this petal. We are constantly tested by Mr Fox an he takes his opportunity. I have had visits and am costantly having to reinforce and sometimes restock. My sympathies go out to you please don't let it put you off

[polo]

Just shows how easy it is for disaster to strike. I really feel for you all and hope the duckling recovers from his shock soon.

xx

[its hilly]

What a terrible result from a good deed by your son. So sorry Petal.

[Suechooks]

Oh dear I'm so sorry to hear this Petal. ((((((Big hugs))))))

[RichmondHens]

Sorry to hear all the bad news. Fingers crossed for the surviving duckling.

[VirginVegGrower]

Poor ducks/ducklings and you. Shame the RSPCA put dogs down after a period of time whereas Dogs Trust never do. That's why they and CPL get my support and the RSPCA do not. Twisted loyalty. I didn't realise they release urban foxes into the wild.

[chris]

Sorry to hear that, especially with feeling ill

Hope lucky is ok though!

I can't believe they release foxes like that!

[Florence Fennel]

I had no idea that happened either. There are foxes roaming about near my daughter's house and the children think it's brilliant when the RSPCA catch one - they wouldn't be so thrilled if they knew this kind of thing happened.

[Glutton4...]

'Someone' also neuters them and releases them. WTF

[Polly Fouracre]

It's sickening isn't it. There are too many foxes about without the do-gooders adding to them! Hope your little one goes on well.

[petal]

lucky has made it through the night and is quite a bossy little fellow and very, very loud! I could hear the gamekeepers gun going off late evening, they have pheasants here, which is why they are so vigilant about pest control. Luckily for us, I suppose.

[Flummery]

What a dreadful experience - and when you are already not well! I hope Lucky pulls through - sounds a determined little chap. It only needs one slip up doesn't it?