Old Speckled Hen Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I feel so sorry for you. Those of us who have lost our hens to foxes will know exactly how you feel. Mine were lost while I was away on holiday and I would spend days gazing into the empty run. Get more!!! It's the only way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I am so very sorry to hear about your loss...I can only imagine how you feel Sending you all a BIG (((((HUG)))))...hope it eases your pain a little Lou X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 so sorry to hear about your girls, I'm sure the fox watches us when we are out with our girls, I lost 3 of mine, i popped into my polytunnel right next to them and within seconds heard a horrible noise, 3 girls dead and 1 injured - 1pm bright sunny Sunday lunchime last year. i never let my girls out of my sight now, and they have a walk in run for when i'm not around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLK69 Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Sending you a huge hug - this isn't your fault, foxes are very cunning and he was probably watching you, and biding his time. I guess it is something we all fear. Susie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 My girls have Bordercollie minders when they are in the garden. If next doors cat tries to come in they bark and see it off. A fox has got no chance and the dogs just love having a job to do.....love Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 So sorry to hear about your girls, it's so sad to hear. Big hugs to you and your daughter xxxxxxxxxxxxx you'll both know when the time is right to get some new girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rosalyndavies Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I agree that the only way is to get more hens. They will never replace your Gladys & Ginger but they all have such quirky personalities that they help take your mind off losing your beloved hens. I am the friend of Sue (Blackgold) who lost 4 hens to the fox last year on 6/12/08. It was a bright day around 1.30pm on a sunday, it really has made us vigilent about protecting our hens from Mr Fox. My daughter had been having nightmares about the fox only a few days before, so we decided not to tell her as she was only 5 years old. Within a week we replaced all four, we now have 8 chickens, one more than before the massacre. It took us a couple of weeks before it stopped being so vivid in our minds and now we only have happy memories of our girls & some fabulous photos!! We are sending you all our good wishes for some happy times ahead X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larkspurs Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I agree that the only way is to get more hens. They will never replace your Gladys & Ginger but they all have such quirky personalities that they help take your mind off losing your beloved hens. I am the friend of Sue (Blackgold) who lost 4 hens to the fox last year on 6/12/08. It was a bright day around 1.30pm on a sunday, it really has made us vigilent about protecting our hens from Mr Fox. My daughter had been having nightmares about the fox only a few days before, so we decided not to tell her as she was only 5 years old. Within a week we replaced all four, we now have 8 chickens, one more than before the massacre. It took us a couple of weeks before it stopped being so vivid in our minds and now we only have happy memories of our girls & some fabulous photos!! We are sending you all our good wishes for some happy times ahead X What an excellent post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 I agree too, i would hate anything to happen to my chooks but i couldnt live without any at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
margotthechicken Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Dear All, What a week! Well I can report some good news. Hazel and Miriam have joined our brood. Ellie chose them both, Hazel is very confident, Miriam less so. Miriam actually looks a bit sad, but with some TLC and some of OH's special Chook Stew (doesn't contain Chook, it's for the girls), I'm sure all will be well. Ellie has taken to the new girls well and is mothering them, it's lovely to see. The anti fox measures are in place, and we've removed some screening, so we can see the woods at the back of the house more clearly, we also do 'patrols' daily in the woods, leaving lots of our scent on the undergrowth (OH does special late night patrols around the coop, but I don't think I want to talk about those, it's not polite!). Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. Ellie and I have read them all several times, and whilst we are still sad, life is moving on. Lessons learned and all that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Great news margotthechicken! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Congratulations on your new girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 That's great news . I hope your lovely new girls will help take yours and Ellie's minds of your sad loss . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackgold Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Ginger and Gladys will be watching at the rainbow bridge and saying thanks for looking after us and dont worry we are having a ball. Welcome to the new chooks and hope everythings goes ok from now on.. love Sue xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Lovely news about Hazel ans Miriam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Great news! Enjoy your new girls!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Wonderful. It's the only way. When I lost my first three, at night when my chicken sitter didn't secure the door, it was the most awful feeling of loss and guilt at not looking after animals that trusted you to keep them safe. BUT the way forward IS to get more. I have photos to remind me and the one we found is buried in the garden. She was called Bluebelle and has bluebells swarming over her. Enjoy your new chooks. Aren't they just such a joy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoxy Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Fab decision Hug n luv Lou X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
