3happyhens Posted March 13, 2010 Share Posted March 13, 2010 And they were my Omlet Pepperpot & Ginger Nut Ranger. (Feel really sad & remember how excited I was when they arrived in July 08). Now only have my Light Sussex left .... She managed to escape but is obviously very disturbed. Hope she doesn't die of fright overnight We have closed the coop door tonight & she's well shut in. She was looking for the other two - should I get replacements straightaway & put them in with her or should I wait a while? I hate to think of her being on her own. Advice please! Kate Nell RIP 13.3.10 Gertie RIP 13.3.10 Flo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I am sorry about your girls. At least they enjoyed a lovely free range life with you. It seems harsh but you should get some more friends for her straight away as she will get lonely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legend21 Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 So sorry Kate, I think you should get some new girls as soon as possible J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 So sorry Just be wary of Mr Fox returning - he knows that they are there now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 How awful, I'm so sorry . I agree with the others, she'll need some company soon (it'll perhaps help you get over the shock too, having new girls to think about). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foreveryoung Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 awwww im really sorry for your loss, its a horrid thing to happen. welost our ducks xmas eve, its prompted us to rebuild the wir to make it as fox proof as possible as they know thew qre there now..... how did the fox get to ur hens? I think getting your remaining hen a good thing, they do better with company, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Sorry to hear it. I agree, get some straight away, and remember that the fox will be back now that he knows where they are. Best up your security, and only allow them to free range when you are around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Can't add to the advice, but just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear your sad news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky1 Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Sorry to read of your loss - some good advice above. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 So sorry, what an awful thing to happen, remember though, it can and does happen to most of us at some point so dont feel too bad. She will do better with some friends Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 oh no ! So sorry !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3happyhens Posted March 14, 2010 Author Share Posted March 14, 2010 Thank you so much for all the lovely messages! Good to have the support of fellow chicken-lovers. I know they are just chickens, but we all know how attached we get to them. I'll be off to get some new girls tomorrow. I'll be much more wary about free-ranging now. Poor Flo was very hesitant about leaving the coop this morning (no surprise) and is confined to the run. Maybe I can get my husband to wee down the bottom of the garden to deter Mr Fox ... Kate Nell RIP 13.3.10 Gertie RIP 13.3.10 Flo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joza2210 Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Awww ... Im so sorry to hear that ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiler33 Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 I am so sorry to hear about that; how awful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickyhazel Posted March 14, 2010 Share Posted March 14, 2010 Get some new ones straight away to keep her company! She will get very lonely and possibly ill. Just make sure they don't peck her too much - you don't want a very dominant new pair of chickens who will bully her. Sorry that you lost your chickens Hazel, Ranger, Audi, Porsche, RIP Chestnut (coming soon from a friend) Noodle x1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 and a fox secure run, or it will be back for the others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 I'm so sorry to hear about your girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxychickjo Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 So sorry. I know exactly how you feel. I had 9 girls altogether, 3 original omlets and 6 ex bats. All lovely and newly integrated. We let them free range all the time and lock them up safely at night. We live on an estate and I have never even seen a fox up here at night. We went out for a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon and returned to find that Mr Fox was finishing his business and now from 9 I have 1!!!! Completely devasted and Rose is remaining strong. Luckily enough, I am getting another 5 ex bats this Friday to keep her company as although they shouldn't let me have anymore for 3 months now I have had a fox, they are worried about Rose's welfare. I know and echo all your feelings but after a truly awful weekend and deep loss about my girls, I am excited about getting more. They will never replace Gladys, Flo, Hilda, Betty, Mildred, Gertie, Madge and Daphne, but they will need love all the same and be just as individual. Good luck in what you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 15, 2010 Share Posted March 15, 2010 So sorry to hear about both lots of chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3happyhens Posted March 16, 2010 Author Share Posted March 16, 2010 Hooray! Now I have two replacements - a Bluebelle and a Speckledy - so both very different from the ones taken by the fox. Now investigating how to repel/deter foxes ... Does anyone know how effective Scoot is? What about sonic devices? Does anyone have any advice? Thanks Kate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 So sorry to hear about this and about Jo's chickens, but congratulations on getting your new ones, I have one of each of these and they are lovely birds! The best protection is a safe run. Unfortunately urban foxes are very cheeky, they're not scared of humans and (in my opinion) the things like weeing in the garden, human hair etc are not effective, however they cost nothing so it's worth a try. I have had a Foxwatch, the last one broke but I keep meaning to replace it because, again in MY opinion, it did work to deter the fox. He stopped using my garden as a shortcut, and hanging around the hen run - prior to getting it, I used to find pawprints on top of the Eglu. Some people on here don't think it has much effect however. My hens only ever free range if I am out in the garden with them, and I'm afraid close supervision is the only solution I've found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 I am so sorry to read about the losses but very please to read of your two new additions, I have a bluebelle but a spckeldey is on my wish list.. I am from cambridge aswel, so feel free to pm me if you need my help, need a chat, or want a coffee.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NatalieC Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 I've got a Foxwatch and think it does work, the Fox sort of veers away from the run when its on. The first one I had broke so we sent it back and they replaced it, I've only ever seen a Fox three times in the garden and he's obviously a bit thick as he just looks at the girls and they glare back. Even so, better safe than sorry and I use the Fox watch and lock them in as soon as it gets dark (I also don't let them out too early as the first time I saw him was early one morning). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted March 16, 2010 Share Posted March 16, 2010 So sorry to hear about this and about Jo's chickens, but congratulations on getting your new ones, I have one of each of these and they are lovely birds! The best protection is a safe run. Unfortunately urban foxes are very cheeky, they're not scared of humans and (in my opinion) the things like weeing in the garden, human hair etc are not effective, however they cost nothing so it's worth a try. I have had a Foxwatch, the last one broke but I keep meaning to replace it because, again in MY opinion, it did work to deter the fox. He stopped using my garden as a shortcut, and hanging around the hen run - prior to getting it, I used to find pawprints on top of the Eglu. Some people on here don't think it has much effect however. My hens only ever free range if I am out in the garden with them, and I'm afraid close supervision is the only solution I've found. Ditto to all the above . I had 2 faulty fox watches and have them both replaced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
