4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Tanvi]

Last friday, for the first time in 5years of keeping chickens, a fox attacked and killed one of our two very dear chickens in broad daylight. They were just scratching about in the garden and I was looking at them from the living room as I sipped a cup of tea! We managed to save the other one though and she's unhurt.

 

I've been feeling most distraught by it all. To make matters more complicated, we are expecting our first baby in 4weeks, and the whole fox episode is making us think that it might actually be better to take our remaining, much-loved hen to another loving home, instead of getting her a new friend, and risking more tragedy. Sorry but I'm finding everything a bit overwhelming during late pregnancy!

 

If there is anybody with chickens in Oxfordshire who would like to have a 1.5year old, ginger-coloured, very friendly and daily egg-laying bovan goldline, please do get in touch. We bought her from Cotswolds Chickens last summer (2007). I'm feeling worried that she's going to get lonely very soon, because I'm not able to stay outdoors with her to give her company and be another chicken, or let her out of the run!

 

Any help will be very much appreciated. Thanks!

 

Tanvi

[Egluntyne]

Sorry to hear this. How distressing for you.

 

I'm sure someone will give her a home.

[The Dogmother]

I'm sorry to hear that Tanvi; I am local to you, but not able to take her as I'm full, but I have put the word out amongst local chicken kepers for you.

 

Good luck

[Tanvi]

Oh thanks so much! And thanks for the kind words too.

[Redwing]

I can take her and can assure a good home, my only worry is integrating a single hen in to my little flock. I do have a giant dog cage that can be used as temporary accom (will put her in with the others in the Eglu at night)

 

If anyone can advise if this idea is not completely foolhardy I would be happy to take your hen.

[The Dogmother]

Brilliant idea Natasha and the dog crate would be fine - I've used one before myself for the same thing; it's only for a few days, and with Goldlines being so docile, it shouldn't take long.

 

Good on yer!

[Lydia]

I would have had her too but Redwing beat me to it! Nevermind, good luck with her Redwing, I'm sure she'll have a great home with you.

[Tanvi]

Oh wow - you guys are wonderful. Thank you so much Lydia for offering too!

 

So Redwing, whereabouts are you and how long do you think it'll take to drive to you from Oxford?

[Redwing]

I have pm'd you

 

Addiction sets in quickly with chickens so I am not surprised you got more than one offer

[Tanvi]

That was the quickest thing that ever happened. Redwing's been and gone and our lonely one is already on her way to her new life! What a lot of life-changing events for one small hen...

 

I hope that all goes well and that everybody settles down soon. Must admit I'm feeling a bit bereft, but very certain that she's gone to a lovely new family. Redwing, I hope she doesn't mistake the dogs for a fox - but hopefully she'll learn soon.

 

Now here's hoping that this soon-to-arrive baby is cute enough (and hard work enough!), to prevent me from missing having chickens....

[The Dogmother]

I do love a happy ending That Redwing is now well and truly addicted!

 

Good luck with the little one Tanvi - we'd love to see some pictures.

[Tanvi]

Will do. Thanks everybody for all your support! The Omlet forum is a beautiful thing.

[Redwing]

All is well in the Redwing household, Chortu (not sure if I spelled that right) is safely in her giant dog cage outside. She went crackers when she first saw the dogs but they are never allowed to mingle with the hens so she was quite safe and even managed a peck at a dogs nose through the cage bars!

 

Thaks again Tanvi, it was lovely to meet you and your other half - good luck with the baby!

 

Hopefully when the baby is older you may go back to chicken keeping.

[Tanvi]

Hey! Thanks for that! How funny that Chotu got freaked by the dogs. I bet she's very excited at all the new stuff happening.

 

Thank you so much, was lovely to meet you too. You obviously love animals and I feel very good about what a nice home she's gone to. You can give me further updates if you like...hope tomorrow morning when they all wake up together goes well.

[Snowy]

Well done Tasha and Tanvi! Tanvi I am sure that once baby arrives and you settle into being a Mum, you will want some more chooks - and they will be wonderful for your little one(s)

[Plum]

Good luck with the baby.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Missed this thread somehow . I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your poor chicken, Tanvi, but what a lovely ending to the story . Well done Redwing . Best of luck to you, Tanvi, when the baby arrives and I hope you manage to get some more chickens before too long .

[Tanvi]

Thanks for all the good wishes. It's a bit terrifying as my due date draws closer. I'm thinking keeping chickens was probably not good enough training for looking after a child...

 

I'm sure it won't be long before we miss having chickens. They gave me such a good feeling of wellbeing. But mr fox changed all that though. Hope he gets run over or something.

 

Hope Redwing's not having too much trouble with introductions this morning.

[Gallina]

I would have loved her, but didn't see your message soon enough. Never mind.

 

Do get more hens one day, won't you? Children love them. But be aware that you will have to take special care in Oxford, which has always had more foxes than most places: there have been special studies on the Oxford urban foxes. They walk along the pavements where I live and sleep in people's doorways. Some of them are quite tame and come towards you if you go out in the garden.

[Tanvi]

Oh Gallina, that would have been great because I'd know she was really closeby! But I think she's done well anyway and gone to another loving home, and Redwing was wonderful to come and pick her up.

 

Yes, I feel quite defeated by the fox. One day when we decide to get chickens again I shall put up more of a battle. I'm just surprised that we've not had any fox interest in the 5years that we had chickens. We used to leave the chickens wandering around from dawn to dusk if we were home and never had any incident - quite amazing.

[Redwing]

all is well here today Tanvi, Chotu was fine in the Eglu last night and was let out with the others to eat her porridge this morning for an hour before being divided off for the rest of day. No problems yet!

 

She laid an egg today, it was much bigger than the others!

 

Will keep you updated

[Tanvi]

Oh I'm so thrilled! Thanks for giving me the good news, and great that she laid for you too! I bet she's loving being able to snuggle up with her new friends at night.

 

Oh I'm feeling so pleased and relieved, can't thank you enough.

[Redwing]

Just to complete this thread for Tanvi's benefit Chotu is now fully integrated and the pecking order has been re-established in the new flock.

 

All is well

[Mayo]

Now look Tanvi,

Yea, I know ; babies are all very well : but think of all the time you'll need to spend on feeding and watering, and as for all that mucking-out you have to do . . .

What's the betting you'll be rushing off to buy more chooks within the month !!

Good luck with All your new animals; and

Happy Christmas.

Mayo.

[Tanvi]

Thanks Tasha for giving me the update - I'm very pleased that all is well. Do feel free to give Chotu a new name to go with her new life if you feel like it, I promise I won't mind. I'm just pleased that she's settled in so well. I hope she gives you lots of eggs and joy.

 

And yes, I'm sure it won't be long before I want chickens again.

 

Meanwhile, have a happy christmas everyone! Thanks to all who helped me get through what started out as a very unhappy episode with mr fox.