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[juliepops148]

I came home late last night from my mum and dad;s ruby wedding party, to find both my girls, Gertie and Verlie, dead and the fox still in the run. I am devastated, and can't get the images from my mind. The battery for the fence had been on charge and I hadn't connected it back up - got complacent even though we've seen the fox. So all my own stupid fault anyway.

 

Might sound daft but my chickens were my little bit of "normal" every day in a busy and stressy time - I don't know what to do. Was planning my walk in run, but too late for these two - my first chickens, really lovely and much loved.

 

[jlo]

So sorry to hear about this.

[migsy]

Really sorry for you. At least they had a life of freedom.

[juliepops148]

thank you. I feel I let them down, but they were thoroughly spoilt. Maybe thats a lesson for next time - try not to get so attached, but I don't know if that's really possible - they are such fantastic animals.

[beckyfitz]

So sorry for your loss

I've lost one chicken & one duck on separate occasions to a fox - they were brazen day time attacks

Don't beat yourself up, we do what we can but foxes are so wily & determined

Don't let it put you off chicken keeping, especially as it seems its so good for you, take comfort that you gave your girls a lovely life & when you are ready you can build that WIR for a new flock

Becky xx

[Charlottechicken]

Oh dear, I'm so sorry

[Sheilaz]

You poor thing, you certainly have my support, what a horrible situation.

Please remember we're all learning, and I do hope memories of the happy times soon overtake your understandable anger & sadness. You'll never forget your first chickens, they'll always have a special place in your heart.

Maybe the best way forward would be to make plans for a run for some new chickens. There'll never replace your original pair, but you obviously care for them so much, please don't give up on chickenkeeping.

All the best, and keep in touch.

[juliepops148]

@Becky - you know exactly where I am coming from I think. have read your post out to my hubby and we are both blubbing again!

Thanks everyone. Am going to try and plan the new run as a distraction, so any tips on that appreciated.

[sari]

It's not wrong to get attached, you will be very sad, grieve and then recover. This sounds harsh now, but believe me it will get better. I lost my beloved Staffordshire/English Bull Terrier cross the week before Christmas, 5 years ago. It was very sudden, ( twisted stomach) despite him being 12 he was as full of life and mischief. We'd had him from from a Rescue, and was our constant companion,as we both worked nights..kept me warm when the OH was away..and safe when we were nearly burgled......we swore we could never love another dog...but felt so lost we had another within 6 weeks. What this ramble is trying to say is...feel bad, miss your girls...then get some more....and love them just as much.

 

Sorry for your loss

 

Sarah x x x

[karena]

So sorry to hear that.

[Chucky1]

Hi Juliepops - sorry to read your news and sorry for your two little chooks.

 

Try not to blame yourself. We all do the best we can for our gals but we're all learning.

 

Good Luck

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I'm so sorry to hear about your girls . How awful to find the fox there too .

 

I agree with the others, don't blame yourself. You can give a lovely home to some new girls and that will help you get over the shock and loss.

[Janty]

I'm so sorry to read about your loss. It's hard to lose them in any circumstances but yours must be particularly difficult.

 

Please don't let this put you off keeping chickens again.

 

I lost two pekins in quick succession when I first started and swore I'd never have more pekins. I convinced myself that they were difficult to look after and I was not a good enough chicken keeper.

Now I have 21 and wouldn't be without them.

[bigmommasally]

So sorry to read about your fox attack and the loss of your girls Don't let it put you off getting more girls though when the time is right.

[janeears]

You must tell yourself that you gave your chooks a wonderful life. They were blessed to live with you and you will always remember them as your first chickens. When you're ready get some more and provide them with an equal amount of love, care and attention. It does get easier. xx

[foreveryoung]

Im really sorry for your loss, I lost all my ducks to one fox and the image of that is always with me, it prompted me to rebuild my walk in run for my girls - in hope that I can out fox the fox (so far so good) the only thing that could get me to I guess accept this is that its the cruel side of nature... i know it doesn't stop the hurt but there's nothing you can do but learn from what has happened!!!

 

the other peeps are right!! you gave them the best of what life had to offer.....

[Dolly]

I'm so sorry to hear your sad news, it must have been a terrible shock for you.

Take heart that you obviously gave them them a happy life and loved them very much, we all think we could do better for our girls for one reason or another.

In times like these I find myself thinking of all the poor girls who don't even get to see the sky, let alone have someone to love them, so please don't beat yourself up, it sounds like they had a great life.

[beach chick]

so sorry to hear this, and awful to find the fox still in there. over the years we have lost 5 or 6 girls to the fox and its always awful.

[sparkysmum]

so sorry to hear this sad news. Alli x

[Maureen Lamb]

So sorry to read about your fox attack and the loss of your girls. My seven week old chick died last night in her sleep.

I have cried all night. But reading this, I cried even more for you. Bless you.

[Cranfield Kate]

oh hun i'm so sorry. nothing i can say will make you feel better but hopefully it helps knowing that we understand. x

[the bradley bunch]

all i can do is echo what everyone else has said - please don't blame yourself and don't ever let get lost in the sadness all the happiness you gave to your girls.

 

maureen i'm so sorry for your loss also

 

sending you both big hugs xox

Edited October 11, 2010 by Guest

[mollyripkim]

So sorry to hear about the fox attack, it must have been such a shock to find the fox there still. Can only reiterate what others have said and don,t blame yourself and don't let it put you off. I have only had my girls since July but as you know they give so much pleasure and for me too it's time out.

Thinking of you. Xx

[Aunty e]

I understand. I came home tonight to find my idiot idiot idiot husband hadn't locked the chickens away and another three had ben taken - one still warm on the patio where the fox dropped it. One of them I only picked up on Saturday and she was only 15 weeks old. This makes six in a few weeks I never lost a chicken to a fox before. Now seriously considering giving up after four years because I just can't trust OH anymore and the foxes round here are so aggressive. Will give it a few days though to see if I calm down a bit. Certainly won't be going to buy any more chickens - not sure I can even face Kirsty at the moment.

[Olly]

Oh Aunty E, how awful - and I'm so sorry for your loss, Julie and Maureen. This is the downside of keeping hens, but please don't be put off. It's why mine stay in their run all the time unless I can be in the garden with them, they do now have a WIR but before that they were in the Cube/Eglu run. I'd rather they were in there all day and safe, than take risks with free-ranging.

 

It may mean less freedom for your hens, but they will still be fine and have a happy and fulfilled life. The last thing you want to do after this is go out and get more hens, but give it time and you will feel ready to get some more.