Sad day -fox

[elizajay]

The fox visited in the early hours of this morning and I hadn't closed the nest box properly. It got in and took 3 chickens and left poor Hampton dead in the house. So for the first time in over 7 years I have no chickens. I feel particularly sad about Hampton, she was such a stately lady and so friendly and trusting. I let her and her friends down big time. She is buried under the apple tree with a heavy weight over her grave so she can't be dug up. The end of an era, it was horrible not to come home to expectant hens waiting for their corn tonight.

[Verinda]

Oh dear, how awful for you and the hens. Don't feel too bad, I'm sure we've all done the same, it's just that you were unlucky and the fox was waiting. Big hugs to you eliza.

[bearded bloke]

bugger always a shame to loose chooks to the fox

[Scarlet]

I really feel for you. Don't blame yourself, they are very crafty b@ggers.

[Glutton4...]

Really sorry to hear your awful news. Unfortunately for us Chook-keepers this is the worst time of year, as Foxy has babies to feed.

[elizajay]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your kind thoughts.

[chris]

Hard not to get so attached to them isn't it?

Probably not on your mind at the mo, but on the plus side you get to get some more - and can choose some others that'll certainly be characters!

[Brom]

Sad news indeed, can't imagine how awful it must be to find that kind of devastation waiting for you in the morning.
Now this is strange to say the least, but as I was reading this thread a fox trotted past, just the other side of the fence at the bottom of our garden, hopefully, after a very unsuccessful night foraging for chickens. Wierd!

[Nicos]

Oh dear locking them away can become such a routine that you sometimes think you've done it when you haven't...and need to go back to check...bit like not remembering if you've flushed the loo!

Easily done- but how sad on probably the only time you didn't 100% secure them a fox was at hand to nip in.

Very sorry to hear your news. x

[elizajay]

You are right. It is such a routine and it happened the day after we got back from a holiday when I was out of sinc. The poor girl who looked after them while we were away was very upset.

[elizajay]

Hard not to get so attached to them isn't it?

Probably not on your mind at the mo, but on the plus side you get to get some more - and can choose some others that'll certainly be characters!

The whole family was particularly upset about one particular hen, turned out she was everybody's favourite. Mine because I was given her egg at Hampton Court flower show and because I had nursed her back to health after an attack by a bird of prey that killed the hen who hatched her and when an irresponsible gardener working in the garden behind let her terrier loose and it had Hampton by the neck and she stood between my legs for 10 minutes while I stroked her until she calmed down. She will never be replaced.
Having said that, I am thinking about new hens, I just can't imagine being without hens for long.

[elizajay]

DD and grandson helped me choose 4 POL girls today, actually grandson had an argument with the resident dogs over their ball. At 18 months not up to throwing for a dog, but they won. We have a Welsummer, copper black Maran, a Speckeldy and a "French Harlequin" Cream Legbar. They lay blue or brown eggs and she is expected to lay blue. We had a look at the breeder's baby house. She has a pen of adorable stripy emus.

[mothhawk]

Sad news, elizajay, but so easily done. I think it's something that has happened to most hen keepers at some time in their poultry keeping days. Try not to feel too bad, and look forward to choosing some new girls.

Oh dear locking them away can become such a routine that you sometimes think you've done it when you haven't...and need to go back to check...bit like not remembering if you've flushed the loo!

Easily done- but how sad on probably the only time you didn't 100% secure them a fox was at hand to nip in.

Very sorry to hear your news. x

I don't think that's how it works, Nic. Foxes are creatures of habit and opportunity, and check their territory every night. So that fox most likely sniffs round the hen house every single day of the year, looking for a chance. It only needs to be lucky once.

[Snadger]

I feel your pain. Mr or Mrs fox recently killed nine of my chickens in one night. I wasn't happy about it but still wouldn't want to live in a world without foxes.

Glad you've got some more though. I'm going to a Fur and Feather auction this Saturday.

[elizajay]

Thanks Snadger, it is a horrible experience and I hated coming home to an empty garden. But like you can't blame the fox.

The new hens seem to be doing OK, a bit of facing up to each other but nothing concerning and they generally seem quite peaceful. I got a copper black Maran, a Welsummer, a cream Legbar hybrid and a Speckledy.