bronze Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 I'm sorry (I'm still hoping the lack of ginger feathers means they at least are hiding) Your parents sound lovely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Caroline, just read this. I'm so sorry and know how upset you must all be. Your first hens will always have a special place in your hearts. Having the new poultry run & some more chickens sounds a really good idea, best wishes to you all, Sheila xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Caroline, what an awful thing to happen. So sorry for you and your children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share Posted May 2, 2007 So very sorry to read of your horrible start to the day Many of us have been there, done that, got the T-shirt, so you really are among friends. The new pen looks very good but can I suggest that you put slabs all round the outside to stop the fox digging in. We'd all hate you to go through it again They sell an additional skirt that fixes inside the run, comes out the bottom & sticks out 2ft (along the lines of the skirt idea on the eglu run) My parents have been super and offering to go halves on the run is fantastic. We have decided to go for the 9ft x 15ft, with the as their home inside. Can I also add how kind you have all been , it really is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Oh Caroline, what a terrible thing to happen. Your poor girls. They are more than just pets arent they? Thankyou for posting to alert us all of the dangers of the cunning foxes. And how lovely your parents are,...bless. Keep us posted and hugs your way to you and your family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Oh no what a terrible thing to have happened, my thoughts are with you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Caroline, I'm so sorry to hear about your poor hens. What a horrible shock for you all. Thinking about you xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan_novice_chicken_keeper Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Just wanted to add my condolences. So sad. And me. How appalling. Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Oh my god, how absolutely dreadful for you & your family! What an awful shock & how upsetting! Big hugs to you all! Can I just please ask - if they were in the eglu run when they were let out or were they free ranging / in a different run. It's just that I am so so nervous now about foxes. My girls are only let out nto the eglu run & I want a bit of reassurance. Really really sorry about your losses. A truly sad day for you. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 so sorry ... we all face this risk every time we let our hens out. What a horrible discovery for you and your children. You won't forget your girls, and they had a great life and lots of love while they were with you. You will feel more confident with a new run, and it's good that your parents are so supportive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Caroline, just read your post. Big hugs to you all. xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted May 3, 2007 Author Share Posted May 3, 2007 Oh my god, how absolutely dreadful for you & your family! What an awful shock & how upsetting! Big hugs to you all! Can I just please ask - if they were in the eglu run when they were let out or were they free ranging / in a different run. It's just that I am so so nervous now about foxes. My girls are only let out nto the eglu run & I want a bit of reassurance. Really really sorry about your losses. A truly sad day for you. Emma.x Hi Emma Just to reasure you slightly, my girls were in an outer run which surrounded the eglu run. The outer run was Omlet netting (which for obvious reasons isn't fox proof) My OH had let them out at 5.30am rather than the usual 6.30-7am because when they heard him in the garden they were thumping in their hobnail boots in the Eglu to be let out. Your girls will be in safe in the Eglu run, its just when you let them beyond that that you have to be vigilant. We let out our eyes off the ball to early one morning and paid a heavy price. Also if you are planning on building a larger run around an Eglu, DO IT NOW , don't put it off for weeks ( as we did!! ) Mr fox jumped a 4ft fence to get to our girls, make sure your girls are safe if let out to free-range. I do not want this to happen to anyone else ...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Hi Thanks for that 'update'. As a Newbie, I too have been very worried by this. I don't close the eglu door at night at present and was worried - although as I can't lift the run, I didn't see how a fox could - and it would be a long way to dig. We have 5'/6' high fences but I have once or twice seen foxes jump them using lower walls. Hope you're feeling a bit better today. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Hi, I just want to add my sympathies to everybody else's... that is a terrible thing that has happened to your girls... We live in fear of Mr Fox too, he often comes to sniff at the girls and we have even seen him on top of the run!! It is obviously part of nature and we can't blame a fox for his instincts, but still my daughter (and myself) would be truly devastated if anything happened to them. Big hug to you and your children, we all share your sadness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy C Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 Just read your post. My condolences go out to you all as well. As for the idea that our girls are Just Hens , the very idea. They are all individuals and very special. We have only had ours 3 weeks too and I would hate anything to happen to them. I hope you can get set up again soon. Your parents sound fab! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted May 3, 2007 Author Share Posted May 3, 2007 Thanks to all of you, it really does mean alot. The new run has just been ordered and is arriving on 15th May. My parents are coming down from Norfolk to stay for a few days to help build it and purchase new girlies. Who will of course never replace to others, but it does go some way to healing the void. The garden just looks so empty at the moment I know that it is only for a short time. The whole experience has been very upsetting and does still feel like a very bad dream. Michael (youngest son) has said that he wants to have another Mendlesham Amber called "Shirley" the same as his one that we lost yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 You've got me lusting after one of those runs Caroline. I will be very interested to hear how you get on with it....especially as we had a fox in the garden at 7am....the 3rd sighting this week. Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted May 3, 2007 Author Share Posted May 3, 2007 You've got me lusting after one of those runs Caroline. I will be very interested to hear how you get on with it....especially as we had a fox in the garden at 7am....the 3rd sighting this week. Best of luck. I will keep you posted They cost a fair bit but it's peace of mind at the end of the day. I would not wish to go through it again nor hear that anybody else has. It's horrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riane Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 so sorry to hear your sad news. i hope the building of your new run and the joy your new girls will bring will be some comfort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted May 3, 2007 Share Posted May 3, 2007 I'm a bit late catching on but I just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear what happened. I hope your children - I was going to say "get over it" - but that sounds too derogatory. I hope they manage to deal with it and move on - kids are pretty resilient and I hope your new girls help to make things easier. It's such a risk keeping any small animals, but at least you know your girls had a great life with you. This is a rubbish e mail and not really how I meant it to be, but thoughts are with you Bex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolinep Posted May 4, 2007 Author Share Posted May 4, 2007 I'm a bit late catching on but I just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear what happened. I hope your children - I was going to say "get over it" - but that sounds too derogatory. I hope they manage to deal with it and move on - kids are pretty resilient and I hope your new girls help to make things easier. It's such a risk keeping any small animals, but at least you know your girls had a great life with you. This is a rubbish e mail and not really how I meant it to be, but thoughts are with you Bex Thanx Bex, I know exactly what you were trying to say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 I know this is very belated but I have just read your story and I would like to add my condolences to all the others. It is so difficult to protect our girls against foxes and a few years ago I saw a fox run across my garden with one of my first (pre eglu days) chooks in its mouth. It was such an awful moment as it was 2pm on a nice sunny day and so unexpected. I now have an eglu (mark 1) and then a bigger run round it which has gradually grown with added trellis until it is like a prison camp - about 8ft tall with prickly berberis and roses growing up it but fingers crossed seems to keep the beggars out as I have not lost one to a fox for a long time now. I am sure your new chickens will be safe and happy in their new home and will bring your family years of happiness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 oh, Im so sorry, hugs to all Couperwife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
