ChrisP Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 As title says. Gabbi was killed by (what we are assuming is) a fox. Feathers all over the garden, and my poor chicken in the middle No sign of a fox, but no sign of anything really. Whatever it was only took her legs and wings (sorry to be graphic ) dont understand why she was killed for that Anyway, make sure you always keep an eye on your girls when they are free-ranging and never leave them unattended . we had our girls for 4 years next month and have NEVER had a problem with foxes until today. I already feel like a huge part of me's missing now :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 So sorry to hear your news big hugs to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 What a shame, so sorry to hear your news. It's so easy to think you're safe isn't it? I've left mine out free ranging, I expect most of us have. Hope your others are safe and sound much love Mrs B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 Chris, so very sorry to hear about Gabbi. Thinking of you. Allison Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 So sorry to hear about this, we all get complacent, I keep an eye on my chooks from the window but after reading this now feel very scared! Hope you feel better soon, XX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted October 26, 2008 Author Share Posted October 26, 2008 Thanks everyone. Your nice comments make it all a little more bearable. She was only 1 year and 10 months And a dozy bird that would never know when she was in danger. Luckily the other three managed to get away, ony by going next door one way, one going under the canoe in the garden, and one by hiding under the brambles under the conifers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 So sorry to hear that news, big hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear about Gabbi . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 Really sad news and reminds us all not to be complacent. How awful for you. Glad the others are ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted October 26, 2008 Share Posted October 26, 2008 So sorry to read about Gabbi Hope all your others are not too shocked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 Very sorry to hear the news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigmommasally Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 I'm so sorry for you. I've never seen a fox round my way so I've felt quite safe leaving the girls free ranging whilst I'm indoors, I won't be doing that anymore after reading your post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HasSumAmi Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 So sorry to hear your news. I haven't got a good word to say about foxes, personally! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 So sorry to hear about Gabbi What a horrible shock for you I shall keep a closer eye on my girls now. Thinking of you...xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted October 27, 2008 Author Share Posted October 27, 2008 Thanks all for kind comments. The other girls are shut in the run today, its the first time they have been shut in the run for about 2 years. Amazingly, there have been no squawks of protest, they must be so scared Even Charlie, who never let me or anyone else pick her up, came running to me yesterday and welcomed a hug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALNICK Posted October 27, 2008 Share Posted October 27, 2008 we are sorry to hear about your loss, we have had a visit from a fox for the past couple of nights, so we only let the girls out when we are in the garden, absolutely frozen over the weekend from being out with them, but at least no Mr Fox. calnick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 so sorry, but thanks for keep reminding me why I am so neurotic about my girls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 We had our first fox visit a couple weeks ago. OH let hens out early, i was in bed still (Sunday morning, about 8am) and heard them screatching in the back garden. Fox ran off when it saw me banging on the window and yelling. The chickens all survived, but were very obviously scared and subdued afterwards, just hid under the hedge and looked scared and were very happy to go back into the run. They still seem much less confident free-ranging now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Chickenanne: If you have seen a fox in your garden, you can never let your hens free-range unsupervised again. There are an awful lot of us on this forum who are unable to let our hens free-range because of foxes. It is very sad. Urban foxes are the worst. I keep saying on the forum that if you have not seen a fox in your garden, it doesn't mean one won't come the next day. They arrive suddenly, and without warning. And just because you haven't seen one doesn't mean they didn't walk through your garden at night before you had hens, but didn't linger because you weren't providing chicken takeaways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Sorry to hear about Gabbi Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I totally agree: I don't let mine out unless we're in. We never used to let them out unless we were in the house, but now even that is too much... Fortunately we have scaredy rural foxes, so they aren't as used to people and are much shyer. Although for me I would rather take SOME risk with them free ranging and know they enjoy life more, than keep them in a run all the time and know they don't have the same quality of life (though they would be safer that way). I guess everyone has to have their own balance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisP Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 We knew there were foxes in the area. Lambs in the farm behind us are killed every spring. I even saw a fox last night, with an animal in its mouth, and made me so sad The fact is, there were people in the house when the fox (or whatever animal it was) came, but there was no noise, no screeching or anything from any of the four girls. I, like chickenanne, would rather there be a small risk and let my girls have the garden, although we did, and do, everything we can to minimise that risk, because they hate being kept shut in the run . I would do anything to have my favourite girl back, but I can't, so can warn others of how, for me, even being in the house wasn't enough Please take care of your chooks everyone Edited for typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
