tidygirlsuk Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I went to scotland for 2 nights and I got back last night and all my chicks where gone. There is no way a fox could get in so what killed them. I've checked in the light this morning and there are feathers everywhere. We are all so upset. We've had such a bad week as our beloved Jeffrey died on wednesday too. I can't believe that weve lost 5 in one week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Oh no, i'm so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Oh! No! How dreadful! I'm gutted for you! If not a fox then perhaps a stoat or a weasel? I lost a pair of goslings through a two inch air vent once (In London) and was told that weasel was most likely the culprit What will you do now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeabalalaika Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I'm so sorry. A pekin breeder I know lost his whole flock (about 70 in total) to a stoat or a weasel a few months ago. It's so devastating. Very sorry, again. xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted August 2, 2009 Author Share Posted August 2, 2009 Oh! No! How dreadful! I'm gutted for you! If not a fox then perhaps a stoat or a weasel? I lost a pair of goslings through a two inch air vent once (In London) and was told that weasel was most likely the culprit What will you do now? I just don't know what to do. I lost them because I couldn't shut them into the house while I was away and the run holes are bigger than my eglu run and wooden coop so I suppose something small got though. It was only tempory housing while they grew up ready to go in with my big girls. I could do with another eglu or coop really but there is no way that I could afford it. So I guess that I won't be able to replace them Replacing them would have eased the pain with our children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear that, Claire . How devastating for you . Could you get some wire to put over the run to make the holes smaller? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I'm really sorry, thats so sad As ANH says its worth covering the run with finer mesh, cable ties would attach it ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Very sorry to hear this. A stoat or weasel or even a mink sound the likely suspects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 So sorry to hear that, and what a horrid shock for you and your children. It seems a shame if you've got the spare run, not to be able to use it for that - could you reinforce the mesh with something smaller? It does sound as if that's the likely cause, if there was no other access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I'm so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 So sorry to hear such tragic news , you have had such an awful week. I hope you catch the little culprit, or at least are able to make the run safe from vermin so your children can enjoy replacement chickens and know they are safe. Big hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Oh what an awful shock. Such sad news. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Am so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 I'm sorry. Maybe it was a rat or something, I think putting some finer mesh on the wire sounds like a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeabalalaika Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 (edited) I looked yesterday at B&Q and they had some fine welded mesh for about £26 (so I'm sure you can find it cheaper on ebay or something) for my run. It's made for aviaries and is very tough. Here's the link MESH. Edited August 3, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I am so sorry to hear that {hugs} xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 Thank you for your support everyone. I think mesh seems a great idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Hills of Devon is a good place to get weld mesh from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I would also cover the gap at the back of the Eglu, where to poo tray slides in and out. It is necessary for ventilation purposes, but might allow small animals such as stoats into the Eglu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tidygirlsuk Posted August 4, 2009 Author Share Posted August 4, 2009 Ok thank you. I'm like a nervous wreck at the minute. I keep thinking that whatever ate my babies will come back in the day to get my beautiful banties and big girls Loosing my beloved Jeffrey and 4 chicks in one week has been alot to come to terms with. At least this experiance has made me wiser to dangers other than foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alih Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 so sorry to hear this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sara-W Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I'm so sorry Hope you and the children are ok xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Settie Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Hi, Really sorry about your chicks. My freind has 30 chickens ans cockerels 15 geese 1 duck and millions of peacoks and they are always having chicks but they never last longer than 1 day because rats always get them. So it might be rats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raina Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 So sorry for your loss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffordmum Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 OMG - that's awful. So sorry to hear of your sad loss. Rgds, Pat & Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
