Gamebird Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 At about 7.30 this evening the fox struck as my 6 girls were free ranging in the garden while I was watching them. Five of the chickens ran towards me but Ron, one of the Light Sussex, went in the opposite direction, the fox took advantage chased and caught her. I could only watch in horror as he carried her away in his mouth across the field. My dog Oliver, who hates foxes with a vengance, gave chase. I couldn’t keep up and when Oliver returned I realised that I had lost Ron. It was getting dark so all I could do was put the other girls to bed and then poured myself a large glass of wine to drown my sorrows. At about 9pm I was sitting in the kitchen with Hubby, the back door was open because it was still warm outside, when we heard “bok, bok, bok”. We both immediately thought that the chickens had somehow escaped but to our surprise we realised it was Ron who had walked into the kitchen to announce her arrival. We can only presume that the fox had dropped her somehwere while being chased by our dog. She had then made her way home and walked into our kitchen. It took her an hour and a half but she made it. Needless to say Oliver got an extra bone and cuddles this evening. I checked her over and apart from a few missing feathers from her back there is no blood or injury that I can see. My only worry is that she might have puncture wounds which could get infected so I will have to keep an eye on her tomorrow. But meanhwile she is roosting with her friends. I do hope she survives after all she has been through. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 11, 2008 Share Posted May 11, 2008 Wow Sas, what a wonderful story! Glad it had a happy ending. Just check an eye on her in the morning. Fingers crossed she will be ok. Try bathing the affected area with salty water or tea tree oil solution in the morning, just to be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 I'm so glad she made her way back to you. It's a scary thought that a chicken can be snatched right in front of you. It does make you wonder how you can stop a determind fox - and whether it will try to do the same thing again. I hope not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 What a girl! Some Bach's Rescue Remedy might help her over the shock (and you!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAJ Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Wow - brave chicken & clever dog! Tracy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 That's great news Gamebird. I'm so glad you got her back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh sarah Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 what a horrible experience i am so glad she is back she must be a homing chicken! hope she is ok today sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 What an amazing ending to a horrible event . What a clever girl, finding her way back to you . Hope she recovers quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 My heart sank as i began reading this post, soooo sad i thought .. wow what an unexpected wonderful surprise ending .. . what luck ..so pleased Ron's not only okay to tell the tale but finding her way home. . i can imagine the scenario sitting in the kitchen, wow what a range of emotions you must've felt when you first heart bok bok to then seeing your chicken return. What a lovely happy ending . .and praying, hope it is the ending. . .that you never see nor hear the fox again. What a great dog!! Bless you & yours. Ms Tilysohappyforyousucharelieftoreadahappyending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 she's a star! I hope she's ok this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 How's clever Ron this morning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prettychic Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 wow , happy ending ! x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chili pepper Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Wow, what a story!! Unbelievable!! How clever to find her way back, what a very special chicken. Hope she is OK this morning. Sending Oliver lots of hugs too, well done Oliver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharonX Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 What a clever Chicken, well done her What a lovely story. So glad she's ok, hope all is well this morning and I hope your dog scared the fox off enough to not want to come back again. Brilliant story thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paola Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 So glad that it ended well What a star Oliver is, good on him How amazing that Ron found her way home. How is she today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted May 12, 2008 Author Share Posted May 12, 2008 Thank you so much for all your good advice and lovely comments. Ron seems absolutely fine this morning. She is eating, drinking, strutting about and being her usual noisy self. I expect she is telling her friends about her great adventure but they probably won't believe her and will think she's telling porkies just to get attention. I can't quite believe it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Good for Ron and Oliver! One up on the fox then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 That is one very lucky chicken and a brilliant dog you have there! I was so relieved! Ron is very clever too, finding her way home like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbaraJ Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Wow what a day, great that she seems fine and i think the dog needs a special treat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 The hen that lived to tell the tale! I'm so glad for you, gamebird--and am grateful to hear that Ron survived her kidnapping by Mr Fox (reminds me of all the heart-stopping Lassie stories). Thanks for sharing. I'm sure I'm not the only one glad to know that a hen can find her way home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Oliver is a little trooper and Ron is such a brave little chookie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 What an amazing story and a lucky escape. Glad she's ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cluckbok Posted May 12, 2008 Share Posted May 12, 2008 Wow what a good dog protecting his hens!! I'm very pleased for you that Ron made it, she knows where her bread is buttered!! Be careful when they out now though, cause the fox could come back now she knows theres chickens about. I hope it doesn't though. What a lovely ending to the story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
