monstermunch Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 I lost my first chicken today but I'm a bit stumped as to what has happened to her and wondered if anyone has experienced anything similar? I was out in the garden this afternoon while my 3 ex-batts were free-ranging, I was a bit further up the garden but could see them and kept looking up from my book to check they were ok. 2 of the girls were walking around together and I realised that I hadn't seen Tilly for a while, she had been sat by the fence under a hedge where I'd been feeding her grapes about 10 mins before; I went down to check on her and she had just vanished. I know 100% that I was outside as I didn't go into the house between feeding her and noticing that she was missing; I didn't hear a thing, and the other 2 didn't appear to be worried or anything; there were a few feathers around but Tilly had been moulting anyway. There is a slight gap under the fence near to where she was sitting but I didn't think it was big enough for the chickens to get through, although my cat does squeeze under there; so I wonder whether she got close to it and was grabbed from the other side of the fenct, although I'm sure I would have heard a commotion. I've repeatedly searched the garden, the woods at the back and had a look in next door's garden (where the hole leads to) but there's just no sign of her whatsoever. I just feel so awful and guilty, I thought they'd be ok if I was in the garden with them; the other 2 look so lonely tucked up in the coop - Tilly was top bird so I don't know how it will affect them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Oh I do hope she turns up , I would have thought you would have heard something if she was attacked. Keeping my fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 So sorry to hear this. I'm afraid that it could have been a fox attack, especially if she'd squeezed under the fence, and if so it would have been so quick that you might not have heard anything. Fingers crossed that she's just wandered off, and may turn up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Foxes are very bold and she may well have been taken, but I would have expected that you would have heard a squawk or two. Let's hope she has simply wandered off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I hope she turns up safe. I don't have any experience but I would have thought you would have heard something if she had been grabbed by a fox or dog or something, would the other two not have made a noise in panic? Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermunch Posted October 17, 2011 Author Share Posted October 17, 2011 Unfortunately there's still no sign of her; I would have thought there'd be some noise and feathers lying around but there's just nothing, it's really strange; I wish I just knew either way really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 looks like i'm in a similar predicament - my new Annie has disappeared without noise or trace and we have kept chickens for six years without any fox trouble. hmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 How strange. I would have thought that you would have noticed some noise if it was a fox attack. I know from experience how loud that can be. I do hope Tilly turns up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 PHEW - Annie found - very, very high in the tree. The overlapping leaves must have obscured her from the torch light. Any sign of Tilly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Glad to hear you have found Annie. Any news on Tilly? Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Glad you found Annie, what a relief. Really hope Tilly turns up as well. She could have wandered off but would have thought she'd have heard you but mine often ignore me if things are more interesting. Waiting for good news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermunch Posted October 18, 2011 Author Share Posted October 18, 2011 I'm glad you found Annie; can they get very high if their wigs are clipped? still no sign of Tilly - think I'm going to have to face the fact that she's gone trying to comfort myself by thinking at least she had a couple of months living a natural life, it's more than most animals in that situation get. Still pretty rubbish though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diana1 Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 I've managed to get them all in the eglu 'bedroom' this evening and might take another look at their wings at dawn. I have clipped wings a few times so I am not new to the task - it is quite baffling how high Annie has managed to get up the tree. I was trying to be realistic yesterday thinking that the next door neighbour' s dog might have had Annie for his dinner and that would just be one of those things that couldn't be stopped. We've only had Annie a week, she cost £15, I was thinking 'we'll just get another'. Then when I saw her in the crown of the tree at the first light I knew I loved her, loved her for her great audacity to get so high and be so hidden. Loved her because of the great wave of relief. Ah to be a chicken keeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermunch Posted October 19, 2011 Author Share Posted October 19, 2011 Hehe! Yep, they really do get under your skin!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 Glad to hear that Annie is safe, but so sorry to hear that Tilly hasn't turned up. If she has gone, then at least you know she had a happy few months of freedom with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
