The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 I have some very sad news about our little black pekin, Layla, she was killed on Saturday night by a fox. The fox tried very hard, and failed to get into the Eglu; it dug under the side by the nesting box and tried to dig under the back where the poop tray slides out. By the looks of it, it finally managed to scratch it's claws in either between the top of the Eglu and the base, or just above the poop tray where it slides into its slot. Both these areas are covered in muddy scratch marks and there are quite a few of Layla's feathers behind the Eglu. She was found by our neighbour wedged in at the back of the roosting bars (one of our smaller bantams has got stuck in there before), she has a small wound to her tummy and has lost loads of feathers, but there's no blood anywhere - I can only assume that she died of shock. The chooks do bundle in at the back there and are very dopey at night, so I can only assume that she was at the bottom of the pile and couldn't get away. We have buried her tonight, in a very deep grave, with flowers on top of her, and bricks on the top of the soil. I have put some logs in the back of the Eglu to stop the chooks getting down that gap, and big, heavy logs against the back of the Eglu to stop the fox reaching in. I have spoken to Johannes tonight (he and Penny left some of their stuff at the BHWT rescue, so we brought it back) and he will try to come over tomorrow evening to have a look. We are all finding it very hard, and there have been lots of tears today. We have told our lovely chicken sitter that she died in her sleep, as he feels very responsible and is distraught too. Rosie is planning getting a new one already. I have plucked out a few of her beautiful feathers and bound them up with ribbon, we will blow and keep her last egg to us too. The Eglu won, but unfortunately we also lost a chook; we are now watching out of the window and listening for the chooks and I will personally go and drop-kick that fox if it shows it's face in my garden again! Hugs and tears Clare, Rosie and Phil I am attaching a photo of Ruby and Layla leading a raid on my herb garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melcotton Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Clare, I am so sorry and am thinking of you all. Mel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusannenoZ Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 How terrible for you all, I am so sorry. What a lovely thought to keep her feathers and egg, proof, if it were needed that Layla was so loved and cared for. Big hugs all round X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Poor you, poor chook. Why don't you get Phil to urinate round the garden. I'm not going to be embarrased, but the area at the back of our house is a small car park with lots of bushes, I urinated in them and I hope a fox does not turn up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cate in NZ Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Oh Clare, such dreadful, dreadful news. I am so sorry Poor Layla too, she was such a beautiful little hen. What a determined fox, it almost seems impossible to imagine that a fox could get in that way..... such clever, cunning creatures Big hugs to you and Rosie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myles Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Clare, Thats so terrible, i don't know what to say. . I'am really sorry. Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clare* Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Clare that is so sad Layla was Ben's favorite. Get those logs well and truly stacked up against the eglu. Thinking of you, hugs to Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 What dreadful news Big hugs for you and Rosie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted May 21, 2006 Author Share Posted May 21, 2006 Thank you all so much for your thoughts. Rosie has finally gone to sleep, and we are going up now - what with the BHWT rescue (will post about that tomorrow) and layla dying, it has been a tiring and emotional weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Oh Clare, I'm so sorry. What a dreadful thing to happen and what an awful day you have had. I know how much you chickens mean to you, and to lose one this way is so cruel. You must be kind to yourself and give yourself plenty of time to grieve for Layla and to reflect on all the lovely times you have had with her. I hope Rosie is coping ok - it may be a good thing if she is thinking about the possibility of a new hen at some time in the future as it could be something positive for her to focus on. I'm sure between you you will decide on a special place to keep her feathers and egg as a memento of her special life. Take care. Hugs to you all. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 desperately sorry to hear your awful news, Clare... Every Blessing to you and yours, Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear about your chook, I feel really sad and send you a hug through cyberspace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Managing Director Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 So sorry Clare, poor Layla and poor Rosie hope she is OK, foxes are evil aren't they Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 So so sorry to hear about Layla Clare. Thinking of you all. Sophie and Clive x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Love and Sympathy to you and Rosie Lesley J xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Clare and Rosie, I am so sorry to hear about poor Layla. I am horrified again at the determination of the fox (but I suppose we can all be relieved that the eglu won). It seems awful that the fox chose the night you were away rescuing other hens. I am really, really sorry to hear this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Oh Clare what a terrible thing, hugs to you and Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 So very very sorry to hear your sad news. You are in our thoughts. J&P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 (edited) Just to add my shocked sympathies to you & Rosie & Clare. How awful for you both (& the chicken sitter too ) I am forever amazed at the determination of the foxes....it seems they get worse with every story posted on here Edited May 21, 2006 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicola H Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Big cyber hugs coming your way Clare and Rosie...........I am so sorry to hear about poor little Layla. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aylana Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 I am so sorry to hear this. Hugs to you both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruth Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Oh Clare, I am so sorry to hear your sad news. What a terrible shock on an already exhausting weekend. Love and sympathy to you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken on a mission Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Clare, I'm so sorry to hear about your tradgedy and just wanted to add my sympathy too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popcorn Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 Big love and hugs Clare and Rosie, you are all in my thoughts tonight xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted May 21, 2006 Share Posted May 21, 2006 When I saw the title of this thread my heart dropped. Layla, along with the rest of your chickens, seemed like a chicken I knew. I've cooed over her photos and stories of what they get up to and I'm so sorry that you lost her and how dreadful that it happened while you were away. Not only do you have your sadness to deal with as well as Rosie's, but your poor sitter must feel responsible as well. Foxes are so determined at this time of year and we do everything we can to keep them away from our girls but sometimes the worst happens and it's impossible not to feel awful about it. It sounds like you have chosen a lovely way to remember Layla and I hope that you have a better week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
