WitchHazel Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 So sorry to hear your news. If it was a fox that had ripped off the panel, you would see evidence of his biting and clawing. I hope your girls turn up - have you asked around? We've had a few ginger chickens of fate here, and it may be theyve been found by someone who doesn't know you keep chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 I am so sorry and I hope the mystery is soon solved and you can move on Buffie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janey4 Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 O my god how awful!! Really hope you find them and if not you find out what happened. Fingers crossed. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottie Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 So sorry to hear your news - can't say anything really to make it better! Sheila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 This is just awful Having ex-batts myself, I know that I would be devastated if this happened to me Have you examined the piece of wood that was prised off very carefully? Are there any teeth marks or scratches on it? If not then I have an idea what might have happened. Just suppose that someone decided they were going to steal your chooks. So they gain entry to your garden bringing a sack with them. They then open your shed and help themselves. But if they were just to leave, then it is obvious they have been stolen and you will call the police. However if they then prise of a bit off the shed, then it will look as though a predator was responsible. It all points to theft if there is no evidence of your chooks outside the shed. Also think how Mr fox works, if he were to gain access to your shed, then he would allmost certainly kill them all and there would be blood everywhere and then maybe he would grab one and run. If there is no sign of a struggle in the hen house, then this also points to theft. As everyone else has advised, please report it to the police. Kind regards Dodge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Im so sory to hear this I agree with everyone who says a fox would have left some evidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimbo_frog Posted August 8, 2008 Author Share Posted August 8, 2008 No sign of the girls this morning... So just phoned the police and reported it... She has checked if any other thefts have been reported locally but nothing...so just informed local officers to keep an eye out.... I had another look at the panel and theres 2 small dents in the wood but I wouldnt consider them scratches... But thats it no other hints or clues...no blood...nothing... Im so tired through lack of sleep...after hearing any noise at all and jumping out of bed with the torch!... Ive just been emailed about some more rescue hens looking for homes... But Im so worried about it happening again...Im thinking its best not too... Thanx again for everyones kind words and advice... Kim and family.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Pick yourself up Kim and give yourself a hug. You need it. That and some sleep. Dont let this put you off getting more girls. They need caring people like you and I think you will feel much better once youve done it. Secure everything you can for Mr Fox and any potential human thieves. Can you install a small security light around a fence perimeter to deter any would be thieves ? Let all your neighbours know too that you suspect it was a theft rather than a fox and that the police have been notified. Then everyone will be vigilant. Unfortunately, theres always the larger louts around too that think pinching a few hens might be 'a laugh' on a night out, but it wont mean they'll come back. Whatever caused the disappearance of your girls (and it STILL might have been a fox as theres not always blood or mess) was not your fault. Theres some lovely bedraggled girls waiting for you -go for it. Lots of hugs Troy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 oh Kim I dont know what to say that hasnt been said already. (((((HUGS))))) cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonie Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 (edited) How sad. I really hope they turn up soon. ((hugs)) Edited August 9, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear your news. I know how I would be feeling in the same situation. Good that you've reported it to the police. Hopefully they will turn up something soon Lots of hugs xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 I think it's unlikely to be theft, unless it was a misguided attempt to "rescue" your poorly looking hens: if you got them recently and they're moulting then someone may have thought they were being mistreated? People can be dim and act / form opinions even out of total ignorance. Or, it could be that the panel was damaged in the storm and they wandered off together, and have either (a) met Mr Foxy, or (b) been rescued. Perhaps advertising in local shops etc would gain some info? Or, could it me a stoat/weasel/ferret? they could get through a very small gap and wouldn't leave any sign: a quick nip to the back of the neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xChicken04x Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 I'm so sorry . It does sound like theft to me. Although when we first got our girls, our vet (who also keeps chickens) had one of his wooden houses broken into by a fox, one of the wooden panels had been completely ripped off and it was all recorded on CCTV. It looked as if someone had just taken a hammer and a crowbar to it, their was no blood or anything either . Badgers are even worse. I hope you get them back. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tara Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 So sorry there are no words that could make things better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 I've only just caught up with this thread...Really shocked for you. I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 I think it's unlikely to be theft, unless it was a misguided attempt to "rescue" your poorly looking hens: if you got them recently and they're moulting then someone may have thought they were being mistreated? People can be dim and act / form opinions even out of total ignorance. . I did have that thought myself. I know when anyone comes into our garden, like the electricity man to read the meter etc, people I don't know per se, I always find myself explaining that the girls are ex battery girls! It's because I always have at the back of my mind that they might think we'd mistreated them ourselves! Have you had any strangers in your garden recently that might have noticed the state of the girls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scramble Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 This is were Omlet need to make a new plaque, they have: 'Beware of the Chickens' 'Beware of the Bantams' 'Beware of the Cockeral' And now they need, 'I rescued Ex-Batts' Just to make sure people get the right idea So Sorry to hear of your girls Lots of hugs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 I keep reading this post in complete disbelief. It seems incredible that someone would steal your girls. You must be devastated and I am so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimbo_frog Posted August 8, 2008 Author Share Posted August 8, 2008 Thanx again for your messages... Everyone that comes across me and my chickens knows that they are rescue hens... Im well known in circles for being a person who will rescue any down and out animal... Much to the dismay of my other-half... We installed a security light in June along the side of our house which is really the only easy way of entry compared to the rest of my garden... I could kick myself for how many times we have looked at CCTV and just left it to another day....at least then I would know exactly whats happened... I just took it for granted that nothing had happened til then and nothing would... Well I have decided that Im going to do a car boot/ebay/free-ads purge on my house and buy CCTV, an Eglu Cube and a 8ft electric fence to make sure who or whatever has done this...doesnt get a second chance.... Hopefully I will get enough asap or be nice to my grandmother for a loan to get it for the next batch of ex-batts available... Scramble - the sign should be..."Watch out for the Mad Chicken Lady...who WILL scramble your eggs if caught tresspassing on her land!" Cant think of a suitable name for the hopefully Prison-like garden I will be planning...My rats lived in "Alcaratz" after they did a escaping act from a old cage years ago... Had to dissapoint a few friends with the news today of no eggs in the mean time for them...But they are all on high-alert for any information or clues... Hope everyone has a good weekend Kim.xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Hope you manage to have a good weekend too Kim and catch up on some sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 Aww, I'm Sorry. I hope they are alright or if not that it happened quick, hopefully someone will give you some information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G and B Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Just got your PM Kim and we're shocked - thoughts are with you and please don't let this stop you from rescuing more ex-bats. G and B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chooklady Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 I've only just caught up with this; so sorry that this has happened. It must be theft, Foxes might be cunning but they are not that good!!! Best wishes to you Nicola Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsallen08 Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 Hiya Again, so sorry to hear what has happened to your chooks. I think you should contact local paper. A lot of people are stealing chooks now and then reselling them. By putting locals on alert you may find out something. Also by being in 'News' you will put other owners on high alert so they can be extra careful and vigilant. Hope something good comes out of this, eventually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joojoo Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 HiyaAgain, so sorry to hear what has happened to your chooks. I think you should contact local paper. A lot of people are stealing chooks now and then reselling them. By putting locals on alert you may find out something. Also by being in 'News' you will put other owners on high alert so they can be extra careful and vigilant. Hope something good comes out of this, eventually. I think the paper would be a very good idea. People will be on their guard but also may be able to point you in the direction of where they are now. I'm still convinced that it's not a fox attack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
