sari Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 (edited) I've mislaid a chook....we're quite worried to the point of panicking. We finished our WIR today, so about 6pm we started to herd the girls down the garden, toward it. The irony about the following is, whilst we've been building it, they've been clucking at the gate, anxious to see what we were up to....every time we opened the gate they shot through. They had been fine, easily herded away from the dodgy bit of brook at the bottom. So we started to herd them down, as it clouded over, and I think they were anxious to get in the run/eglu.....moving the eglu, and leaving the run, really foxed them and we couldn't herd them....they all ran around flapping etc.....didn't help that next door was having a party..in hindsight, perhaps I shouldn't have moved it all today, but time is scarce...and I would have had to dsimantle th eglu and take the greenhouse door off.......so: I caught 2 girls and popped them in the WIR, Florence and Selma jumped over the screen fence into the danger zone.....Florence found the only gap in the fence in 150 feet of fencing, so whilst I was trying to get her back off the neighbours ( who thought it was great fun ) Selma disappeared. My OH saw her out of the corner of his eye up near the house, but couldn't swear to it. We have searched the gardens, in the light and dark....no avail; I've told the girls she's probably found somewhere quiet to roost, because it's dark. My worries are that she fallen in the brook...therefore drowning? That she'll get foxed, or she's stuck somewhere and I can't find her. ANy advice please, for a very worried and guilty feeling chook mummy x x x sarah x x Edited October 3, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 That is terrible especially as you are doing everything to can to keep the girls safe. Try not to worry - you can't do anything about it now it is dark. My OH always tells me worry is a wasted emotion but I know it is difficult not to do it. You must be at your wits end. Get up early tomorrow and have a good look for Selma. She may be roosting as you have said. I will keep my fingers crossed for you tonight and hope you get some sleep. {{hugs}} Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 Hopefully she is roosting somewhere and will be safe She shouldn't have gone in the brook - get up early tomorrow and see if you can see her, check by the other girls and where the eglu used to be. Hope you find her safe in the morning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted October 2, 2010 Author Share Posted October 2, 2010 Thanks...I keep making little forays into the garden and checking her favourite places. I think she may be in a huge pile of brush/branches...she jsut was there one minute and gone the next....we made a lovely walk in run as well, and its sort of taken the shine off.....hope I find her... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 Hope she turns up tomorrow. One of ours disappeared overnight when inlaws were looking after them and she just turned up the next morning so don't give up yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted October 2, 2010 Author Share Posted October 2, 2010 thanks I jsut feel like an inept newbie....was doing alright so far I thought....its pouring with rain now...hope she's ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 I would be frantic as well. I hate it when you are worried and other people find it hugely funny Keep calling her she may respond and I'm sure she will be there in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 Thinking of you, remember to shine the light upwards she could be in the branches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 Any news this morning Sari? Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 Morning Sari I hope she turns up this morning, have everything crossed that you find her roosting somewhere nearby. Good luck. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 Still hoping for you. Any news? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted October 3, 2010 Author Share Posted October 3, 2010 Have just come in after a long search, sadly I've found Selma, on the bank of the Brook, minus head. Obviously been got by a fox. Hopefully was quick.....I looked down there last night but the tinker must have been hiding. I'm trying to be pragmatic,,,,at least we know. It makes my mind up about no FR when I.m not there, and going to make sure that the WIR is doubly fox proofed...not sure what else to do....so a very sad Sari household today Thanks for all the advice and support x x x x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy-Deb Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 Am so so sorry Sari to read your devastating news. My heart goes out to you all this morning as understand how upset and sad you all are. Hugs xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 So sorry, can't imagine how upset you must be feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 Oh,so sorry to hear that. You did your best to find her last night. At least you have the comfort of knowing that you now have a secure WIR for the rest of the flock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted October 3, 2010 Author Share Posted October 3, 2010 Thanks...we are very sad, my girls are 9 and 12, but fairly mature...they have both said, things along the lines of, " at least the others are ok, " and " we have to remember that people are dying of dirty water in Pakistan" so we will be sad but proportionate, I suppose you would say. Thanks for the commiserations x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 Oh, am so sorry Sari Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 Oh no, how sad Try not to beat yourself up about in hon, things conspired against you big time. Sending hugs x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 So sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janeears Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 So sorry to hear your news, Sari. Your daughters send so sensible and caring. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 Sorry to hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 So sorry to hear that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 Poor love. So sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 That is sad. Sorry to hear that. You have made such a huge effort for your girls. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennydavies Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 Oh, how terribly sad for your family. It's so easy to beat ourselves up when things go sadly wrong, especially when we are trying our very best to make our girls more comfy. They always seem to do the opposite to what we want them to do when there's a bit of a panic on. Huge hugs to you and your family and don't feel guilty, you are a good chicken Mummy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...