Guest Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 James and I have been in and out of the garden all day today enjoying a lovely day with the girls. I called them for treats and there was no Pengy - James said maybe she was laying an egg but she did that this morning. I called a few times and she didn't come so we started to look for her - James quickly cottoned on to me thinking she was dead and said she would be under the trampoline (where Amber lay down and died!). After a while I found a pile of her feathers. It looks like a fox has taken her out through a small gap between fences at the bottom of our garden, it's the only gap anywhere in the perimiter although I guess foxes can climb over fences anyway. The trail of feathers lead through there and into the garden behind us. I just hope it was quick and I'm thankful only one chicken was harmed - there were 6 freeranging at the time. I've done a quick job on blocking up the hole and put 5 very disgruntled chickens in their run early - we only moved the eglus back in there last week because we are all away next week. Foxes simply aren't seen around here in daylight - I'll ask the neighbors to keep an eye out for him and shoot him if they see him around in the day again, I know one side has a gun as they own the farm. I'm not quite sure how I'll tell the anti chicken - she will be devastated. She's on holiday but if I try not to tell her James is bound to blurt it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel (& Paul) Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Oh I am sorry - what a horrible end to a lovely day - although as you said, it seemed to be quick and if it were a fox at least the other girls were ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah B Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Oh no. How awful I'm sure it would have been quick. Thank goodness you still have your other girls. What a horrible thing to happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 What a shame. It is a horrible reminder to us all that we should never underestimate the fox. Sorry your lovely day with James has been blighted in this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 There hasn't been a time we weren't out there - country foxes are not usually as bold as urban ones. This one will have come out of a field full of rabbits to have a chicken dinner - what a pity he didn't fancy duck, there are 2 nextdoor at the moment who have moved in a few weeks ago to live on their pond - their garden just turns into the field too! It must have been when we wen't out the front to mow the lawn. Mind you I'm not entirely surprised, try as I have the anti chicken lets the girls freerange all day every day, perhaps she will rethink that now - we already have a run extention booked in to be built and I've already been keeping them in all morning in preparation for our holidays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 What sad news. So sorry to hear this. Hen keeping does have the occasional loss and this is the time of year when foxes are at their most audacious. Glad it wasn't more than one and that you've strengthened your defences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluebell Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 so sorry to hear this sad news. on the fox removal side, as far as the law goes is it legal to put an end to a fox in your garden. i love all type of animals but i'm just curious....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 What a shame - you'd think the others would have been 'spooked' - are they behaving normally? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 So, so sorry to hear your news Thinking of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 on the fox removal side, as far as the law goes is it legal to put an end to a fox in your garden. Foxes are vermin, you are allowed kill them, just not allowed to hunt them with dogs! Farmers routinely kill any that can attack their animals, the farm nextdoor to us doesn't as they keep horses BUT they do keep guns as well, handy if a peasant wanders this way (there are a LOT up the road where there is a regular game shoot). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 .on the fox removal side, as far as the law goes is it legal to put an end to a fox in your garden. i love all type of animals but i'm just curious....... You can trap them humanely, but then you have to finish them off cleanly and humanely too....eg shooting. No poisoning or vicious traps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Farmers routinely kill any that can attack their animals, the farm nextdoor to us doesn't as they keep horses BUT they do keep guns as well, handy if a peasant wanders this way (there are a LOT up the road where there is a regular game shoot). Was that a freudian slip Pengy? Seriously, I am sorry to hear about Pengy. Poor James must be upset too. Hope you get the critter that did it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 So sorry to hear your news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisa33 Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Sorry to hear about Pengy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Sorry to hear about Pengy My friend had all 4 of hers taken last week including one very handsome cockeral Because it's fox cub season, if it's any help the foxes are doing it to feed young rather than just for fun Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Great freudian slip of mine! I guess the cubs will have had a lovely dinner - just rather they stuck to rabbits which are rampant (is that another freudian slip using both those words in the same sentance!) in that field! Even my Scribble (cat) had had a rabbit!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 Really sorry mate... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rona Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 How sad, I hope your other girls stay safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 I;m so sorry to hear about Pengy. Darn foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 sorry to hear about Pengy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfamily Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 So sorry Pengy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 So sorry to hear about poor Pengy . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 9, 2008 Share Posted April 9, 2008 So sorry to hear about Pengy. As someone put it very eloquently on another post recently - and I can't do it nearly as well - it's all part of the cycle of life, and don't beat yourself up about it. I do think however that having had one, Mr Fox will be back to see if he can snaffle another one. Free-ranging might have to be curtailed for a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanie Bean Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 Sorry about Pengy . I'm glad your other chickens seem to have escaped unharmed. Sarah.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 10, 2008 Share Posted April 10, 2008 I do think however that having had one, Mr Fox will be back to see if he can snaffle another one. Free-ranging might have to be curtailed for a bit. Free-ranging has been curtailed completely for the moment - stupid thing is that we were actually out there yesterday. I will also get some more wire to block off the hole he came through, its partially blocked now but I can go higher with wire. Although I guess he can also come over the fence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
