adt52 Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 I have a mystery which I'm hoping others can answer. I have had 3 chickens since Jan this year. On Friday (18th) I noticed that all 3 were missing. I have searched the garden and not found anywhere they could have escaped and likewise there were not an abundance of feathers anywhere which might indicate that they had been attacked. If indeed this was a fox attack, surely there would be some evidence. Any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 It may well be a fox - but is there any chance it's a human intervention? Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 It sounds like human intervention if there is no sign of a fox attack, or maybe they escaped?? All the best. xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adt52 Posted December 20, 2009 Author Share Posted December 20, 2009 Thank you for your responses. This is clearly a mystery. My Garden is very secure from the 'human' point of view. High wooden gate which is permanently locked from the inside. Admittedly there is a lot of snow on the ground in my area at the moment, so I guess it is possible when the thaw arrives I may find some evidence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Your very welcome Is it possible that they could have perched in a nearby tree, or got lost perhaps? Keep looking, why dont you ask your neighbors if they have seen them or a fox nearby? xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrambledhead Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Hope you find your girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Sorry to hear this. Were they free-ranging when they went missing, or was their run/coop open? I'm afraid that, given enough time, a fox could have removed all three - I'd expect a few feathers at least but with the weather as it is, they may not be obvious. At this time of year foxes are desperate and will take chances that they might not risk at other times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 I must admit, although I think foxes can be very clever, I'd start suspecting humans, particularly at this time of year, when money might be short, and a nice chicken for the Christmas table would be very appealing I do hope you find them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adt52 Posted December 20, 2009 Author Share Posted December 20, 2009 Olly, No the last time I saw them they were in their Eglu quite happy. They did free range but as regular as clockwork they would put themselves to bed each evening at dusk. They were in a penned off enclosure. I didn't think much about them on the 18th as it was snowing heavily and as I hadn't seen them I assumed they were staying in their coop due to the snow. I have asked my neighbours who also have dogs (like myself) and they have not seen or heard my girls. I guess I'll have to write this one off and get myself some more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Sorry to hear that Hopefully this incident won't ever repeat itself. xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 That is very odd ! Hopefully it is Mr Fox and you find some evidence to put your mind at rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adt52 Posted December 30, 2009 Author Share Posted December 30, 2009 Now the thaw has arrived, no sign of any of my girls though I have been woken at about 3am with the sound of barking foxes which sound quite nearby, so I guess that was their fate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 30, 2009 Share Posted December 30, 2009 If they were in their Eglu and the Eglu door and/or run was shut I would say humans Otherwise I would say that they probably got out and were foxed later when they didnt find their way home in time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted December 31, 2009 Share Posted December 31, 2009 So sorry to hear of your ladies disappearance. So disconcerting not to know what has happened to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
