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

[Headchicken]

I'm devistated. Went out a few minutes ago to give the girls some dried mealworms I bought for a treat, and only 3 came running. I called and called, but the other 2 are no where to be found. I searched the yard...no feathers...nothing...just gone. I feel like throwing up...

 

So I put the other 3 into the cube run (I think Dax and Carmella were taken by predator). I can't believe it. Of course, I come inside crying only to hear my 3 year old crying in her bed--- she'd thrown up all over during nap. So I'm sobing, she's hysterical, then my 7 year old walks in. He's old enough to know I shouldn't be crying in this situation, so I told them Carmella and Dax were gone. Now we're all crying...

 

I guess I need to confine my girls to the run. They were so happy being able to range all day-- never a squabble, never a tussle. I'm just torn up...

 

 

...and Dax was getting ready to lay...

Edited July 16, 2009 by Guest

[Redwing]

What an awful shock I am so sorry

[Kit]

Oh no, I am so sorry

[Olly]

Oh no - so sorry. What an awful shock, and your children must be upset. Do you know what the predator was, I don't know if you have foxes there or something else?

 

Unfortunately supervised free-ranging is the only way forward for a lot of us.

[Headchicken]

I don't know what the predator was-- maybe hawk? The girls are pretty big, but so are some of our hawks. We have racoons, opposums, coyotes-- but I don't think they are terribly active in the middle of the afternoon. We also have a fenced backyard, so it's harder for the coyotes to get in...

 

Just so sad...

[*mummy_hen*]

I'm so sorry

[cluckbok]

Oh I'm so sorry! hugs x

[Headchicken]

THEY'RE HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I guess Dax and Carmella decided to take a fieldtrip! I caught them flying up to the top of our fence (6+ft) and had to bring them down. Guess hubby and I are trimming some wings tonight!!!!!!!!

 

I'm so glad they're home!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Woodcat]

yay thats great

[Redwing]

Brilliant news

[Ms Tilytinkle]

Oh I was just trying to find the right words, reading through the posts .. feeling so sad for you, your loss, you crying, your children poorly & crying. . .

Yippeeeee I lilke you last post THank goodness!! You're now ALL CELEBRATING!!!

Long may you all be well, safe & happy.

Bless you all.

 

Hope your little ones okay after being sick & your elder one is feeling okay after all roller coaster emotions ... and youre still smiling & content again. You know, if that had happened to me I would now be thinking it was a warning & to watch them - see where theyre disappearing to etc be awful if they did the same again.

 

Ms Tillyfreerangesbutdoesn'tlayeggs:)

[cluckbok]

Well I never! do you know what I was gonna say, perhaps they gone off somewhere but it sounded so definate that they were gone that I didn't! I wish I had now!

 

Anyway, that's brilliant brilliant news, and what naughty girls going off like that, perhaps they wanted a little party of their own

[Griffin]

Brilliant news! We had similar heart stopping moments on Sunday when we discovered Tiger Lily missing. After searching for about an hour Mr Griffin had the bright idea of looking out of an upstairs window and spotted the little madam in next doors garden

[Kit]

Little Rascals, glad they are safe and that you are all happy again!

 

Kit

[Chickvic]

What a relief! Glad they came home

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I was all set to commiserate too so was delighted to hear your fabulous news .

[chick wiggle]

Ohh what a relief! I too was gonna say how sorry i was and now i feel really really happy for you all. Hope your daughters ok now too. Yay

[beach chick]

just come on, and my 1st thought was "have you looked in the trees?" so glad there's a happy ending, they can be little devils! I had one who specialised in escaping just before bedtime, I got wise to it after one night's panic - had to hook her out of the trees though!

what a relief for you all.

[Headchicken]

Thanks everyone! All of our girls now have a clipped wing When we went out to do the trimming, guess what I found?

 

 

I guess my little Dax just wanted a little freedom before laying her first egg!!!!!!!!! What a happy ending!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[crumbs]

Oh my god you poor things and what naughty chickens! I just know mine are planning a trip next door, I can tell by the way they keep gazing over the fence...

[Egluntyne]

What a day of mixed emotions. Am glad they are home safe.