sadietoo Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I've just returned from a pretty awful week in France. Half way through I received the news that the friend of my son's who was looking after my two beautiful girls, failed to correctly close the door of the eglu run and by the following day when he called in at 4.00pm they had both disappeared. I'd left instructions not to let them free range to make life easier for him, but what happened is that he had got delayed and it was dark by the time he called in to feed them. In the dark he managed to put the pins through the loops without catching the door behind it. It was soo frustrating to be stuck in Lorient with all this happening, although a very good friend did step in to help search and has put up posters, asked neighbours etc. No one saw or heard anything. I've searched today too...but it is pointless after so many days. They have never ever ever wandered out of the garden before (which was in any case secure), and although there are no visible signs in the garden, I can only assume that a fox took them in the middle of the night and in their sleepy state they didn't put up a fight. I also feel horrible for my son's friend, understandably he is very uspset but it was an accident and I really don't want him to feel bad about it. I do think however that omlet could have put a better catch on the eglu run, and I will be adding a latch of some sort so this can never happen again. Although I can never replace my beautiful Doodle and Do, I am going to get some more chickens asap....I can't bear to look at the empty run and Eglu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beulah59 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I am so sorry to read about your chickens xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 oh how awful - for you and the son's friend, who doubtless feels terrible about it. I can see how easily that could happen in the dark, and if you were unfamiliar with the way the catch works. I'm so sorry - and it must have ruined the holiday. As you say, you can never replace Doodle and Do, but getting more chickens is the best thing to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Oh poor you I'm so sorry xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Absolutely gutted for you, how awful being on your holidays and being told the news. I know its a long shot but I hope they come back. Feeling sad for you Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitbag Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I'm sorry to hear about that. Heres hoping they will come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 How awful for you and your poor sons friend:( Fingers crossed that they do come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 That is a shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieD Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 how upsetting keeping fingers crossed they show up x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Sorry to hear all that, you must be devestated But i can assure you that your new girls will put a smile back onto your face xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Oooh no, how absolutely dreadful for all concerned. Poor you, poor chickens, poor son's friend. What an awful enduring holiday once you knew what had happened - bless you. Doesn't sound good does it, I hope they're roosting high in some trees .. but suppose if they could hear you they would've returned by now I guess. Truly devastating. My fingers are crossed too for a happy ending. Ms Tillysthoughtsandprayersarewithyou&yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 So sorry to hear this. It is absolutely terrible for all of you. Hope a miracle happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 How awful . I'm so sorry . I hope you can get some new girlies soon to help take your mind off it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted August 31, 2009 Author Share Posted August 31, 2009 Hi, firstly thank you to all of you for your kind words....it's so lovely to have support from people who really understand why I am so upset.... Found two places in garden where foxes have been coming in....I swear they weren't there when we left on holiday, and can only assume this is partly due to the fact that no one has been around, and the dog went off to stay with a friend too..... getting extra wire in place... and fox watch...and large mallet Also found loads of feathers definitely from my girls at the end of our road....still no sign of girls or blood..but I have to assume the worst... They were little more than babies why does life have to be so cruel....I know the foxes were only doing what comes naturally too, and probably had cubs and things...but why can't they just stick to raiding rubbish bins Anyway...am arranging to get more chooks and hopefully have them installed in a couple of weeks....once we have sorted out the chink in our fox armoury! Thanks again for the support, it is truly appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Must have been horrid finding the feathers but it also gives you an answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenopolis Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 So sorry to hear your news - you must be devastated. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 How sad, but at least you know what happened to them . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Hmmmm the dreaded scattering / pile of feathers - its THE worst feeling ever discovering them. So sorry your worst fears are true. Bless their little souls. Good Luck with your next chook family. Ms Tillythoughtsandprayerswithyouandyoursandsonsfriendtoo-whonow mustalsobefeelingdreadful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Sadie, I'm so sorry to hear your awful news , as you say the little lad is feeling dreadful & it's very hard to make pacifying noises to him whilst feeling so bereft for your girls, I know how I felt when Tulip was fatally wounded by next door's mum's dog An empty eglu is very hollow, let us know when you've got new girls to live there {{hugs}} Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 How awful for you. I know how you feel. Hubby and I were away leaving mum to look after hens in an arc. Arcs have that strange lift and slot in door. I had told mum not to bother shutting the pop hole so that she didn't have to get up at the crack of dawn to feed them. She didn't shut the door properly and the fox got them that night. Neighbour found one, my favourite , buried in their asparagus bed. This happened the day after we left and I had phoned mum every day and every day she had to say the chooks were OK. It broke her heart and I felt dreadful for me,hens and especially mum. I got more as soon as I could and buried my bluebelle in the garden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted September 1, 2009 Author Share Posted September 1, 2009 Heartfelt thanks again to everyone who has left such lovely messages....it really does help.. It is quite windy today and so at least the feathers are dispersing now, unfortunately they cover a pretty wide area, and it really isn't practical to try to pick them up and so I am just avoiding going down the bit of the road where I know there are the most.... In the meantime, my daughter ( from whom the original pair were a present) is busy trying to source me some more......so I'm hopeful I won't have an empty eglu for long and I'll certainly post photos once i have the new arrivals installed....!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavysqueak Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Sending my best wishes to you all. XxX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
