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[abwsco]

Sorry to read that they've not turned up

[Ygerna]

I can't tell you how sorry I am to read that they have not turned up. I really thought/hoped they had just taken themselves off to a tree or bush to roost after the excitment.

[sparkysmum]

Hello I am so sorry to read of your sad news. Are you sure they haven't been stolen Would it be worth reporting it to the police Thinking of you.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

So sorry to hear that . I was keeping my fingers crossed for you .

[Cyber Chook]

You'd think if it was a fox, or even if someone had nicked them, that there'd be feathers all over the place but there's no sign at all...

 

That makes a lot of sense. It's odd isn't it. We all know what foxes are like, and that doesn't include tidying up after themselves. But you'd also think that chooks like their familiar little area to come home to. Do chickens get lost??

 

From what Loiusdog says, it does sound as if it could have been a fox after all, but then if it was that hungry you'd think there'd be feathers close-ish by.

 

How sad and what a worry for you. You must miss them terribly

 

Caroline

[Olly]

So sorry they haven't turned up. I'm afraid I think a fox is most likely - if they have time, they will take the lot. I agree you would expect to see feathers, but unfortunately I've seen posts from others on here where the chickens have just disappeared like yours, without a trace. What Louisdog says bears this out.

 

Very sorry - you must be missing them.

[bekibutton]

Thank you again for all your kind thoughts and words

 

I haven't been put off chicken keeping and in fact we're turning something bad into something good - we're going to sell our wooden houses and buy a Cube to go with our Eglu! And then keep the chickens in the runs unless we're around.

 

Just have to decide what to 'restock' with - we'd like at least one pekin, a brahma, some more ex-batts...would like some more bantam orps but they're quite expensive aren't they? (We got them 'free' last time) A poland might be interesting....

 

And then do I get a or a or a , , or ?

Edited May 14, 2009 by Guest

[Olly]

Well I'm glad you can be positive about it. is the best, naturally!

[Egluntyne]

I agree with Olly.

 

Am pleased that the experience hasn't put you off.

[Abbey Road Girl]

Due to other commitments, I've turned into a sort of serial lurker myself. It's always a tragedy when chickens go missing. Commiserations from us all.

[pencilbeckett]

Hi

 

So sorry to hear about your girls. I lost one of mine yesterday, same as you no signs or feathers and the other hen just sat there lonely. The worst is the not knowing. Glad you are feeling positive i think i will be getting the cube with the run extension so i can keep the new girls safe when they arrive.

[helenmb]

Hi

 

So sorry to hear about your girls. I lost one of mine yesterday, same as you no signs or feathers and the other hen just sat there lonely. The worst is the not knowing. Glad you are feeling positive i think i will be getting the cube with the run extension so i can keep the new girls safe when they arrive.

Jenni - sorry to hear your sad news

[bekibutton]

So as a quick update I finally got to look around the garden for clues this morning. My dad had a look earlier this week and couldn't see anything but to be fair he's about as observant as, well, something not very observant!

 

There are a lot of Babs (on the right in that pic) feathers in a few different places - she always was known as Road Runner so I imagine the fox had a hard time catching her! All the evidence definitely points towards a fox, which is good in a way because it's just doing what foxes do, whereas if someone had nicked them I'd be more upset.

 

We have stockproof fencing around our garden with square wire topped with two lots of barbed wire. Near one of the Babs feather-piles the bottom barbed wire was off its hooks and sagging down, and I would imagine a fox would be able to get through there (never seen a fox so no idea how big they are). There were also large piles of what looked like loose fur, which I've posted pics of below. Does it look like fox fur?:

 

 

 

It's such a shame, but as I now have a lovely to go with our coming soon I'd best get looking for some new chooks!

[WitchHazel]

Sorry to hear about your girls.

 

I can't help with the fur I'm afraid...I would have thought redder hairs were more likely if it was a fox. I guess it cold be a badger, or another sort of dog?

 

Glad to hear that you are thinking of restocking though.

 

All the best

Hazel

[pencilbeckett]

Hi

 

I am no expert but that fur looks a strange colour for fox fur. But like i said i am no expert i am probably wrong . Just clicked your link for the picture of your girls they look lovely.