Nutmeg Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Let the girls out this morning, fed and watered them, they were a bit scared of the snow but starting to venture out. About 1/2 hour later, knock on door from neighbour to say just seen a fox run across their garden with a chicken in its mouth! I ran down garden, two dead, can't find the 4th one! Very shocked and saddened at how quickly it all happened. Never had a problem before, girls have been safe for nearly two years. I guess this cold weather has made the fox desparate. Hope everyone else's girls stay safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clootie Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 So sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 I'm so sorry to hear this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryegg Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 So sorry. I expect this is a really bad time fox wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Palmer Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 How awful. So sorry to hear this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Sorry to hear it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 sorry to hear this, but I dont let my girls out ever unsupervised, foxy is always about & in this weather they are very hungry, I learned the hard way when I first started keeping chickens i lost mine in summer in the middle of the day when i let them out & then went into my poly tunnel right next to the girls & the fox still killed them. Now your fox knows where they are he will return. so if you get more girls you will need to keep them safe. Sooo sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drcara Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 I'm so sorry to hear this, how awful for you and the girls. The snow here in South Glos has brought them all out in force today to look for food. Seen 5 already and I rarely see any in the day, even though I'm out in the countryside. I hope you start feeling better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Hi, so sorry to hear this. What a shock for you. Fingers crossed the 4th one is hiding somewhere. Hope you are ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 That is a shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 The same thing has happened to 2 neighbours in the last 2 days. I think the foxes are very hungry at the moment so are going further afield. I am so sorry for you. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 what terrible news, we must all keep vigilant Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutmeg Posted January 6, 2010 Author Share Posted January 6, 2010 foxy is always about & in this weather they are very hungry, I learned the hard way when I first started keeping chickens Sooo sorry Thank you, I have certainly learnt the hard way. Have never seen a fox since we got them 1.5 years ago so I guess I became a bit complacent, should have realised in this cold weather they would be desparate. Thank you to everyone for your good wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrambledhead Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 So sorry to hear your news. Please don't feel bad about letting them FR unsupervised. I do with mine having decided that they love it so much and their FR time is so limited by my working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 What awful news. I'm not letting them out unsupervised in this weather either, despite never having seen a fox around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitchens Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Such a shame. I have to say that I have never had a problem with my chooks and foxes even though I know there are loads round here .... but since all this bad weather I've seen loads so my little ladies are staying put! We've had loads of paw prints in the garden, front and back. I suppose there is absolutely no food out there for them at the moment so they are being very opportunistic indeed. Feel so sorry for you though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Oh no, what a shock! So sad I too hope you find your fourth girl, she could be hiding somewhere {fingers crossed}. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 so very sorry to hear this terrible news, Ax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 An awful thing to happen. I'm so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 So sorry I had let mine out to roam (not that they were taking me up on the offer) but after reading this I've shut them in. If they aren't bothered about being enclosed, it seems foolish of me to take the risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Oh no! Fingers crossed you find the fourth one ! What a horrid start to the new year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Sorry to hear your news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilipCaldwell Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 thats teriible, blooming cheeky fox.hope the other chook turns up.Foxes are getting bold as brass here as food is so scarce.Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 So sorry to hear your news...I do hope you find your fourth little chook safe and wellxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Nutmeg I'm so sorry to hear about your girls. We got ours about the same time, I would be devastated for anything to happen to them. I hope the fourth one is just hiding somewhere. I saw a fox in my garden only the other day during the day, I've not let mine out for months now because of them. So sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
