dixie chick Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Beetle, my dear little Black Rock hen, has disappeared. She has been gone for 24 hours now so I fear the worst. My ten girls have been enjoying the free range of the garden and field for over a year and a half with no sign of a fox - put off by my dogs I presumed..... They seemed so happy that I told myself that it was worth the risk - but now I am not so sure. My nine remaining girls are now penned into their bark-chipped fox-proof run but they are desperate to get out into the grass and rootle around under the trees. The only sign of a possible attack is a small pile of black feathers - but since they are all moulting there are feathers everywhere so it may not be significant ..... am so sad for Beetle, and hope she did not suffer ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chicken bark Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Maybe Beetle has gone broody somewhere? It is worse not knowing. I hope she is fine but, like you, suspect a fox or other predator may have been involved. I'd love to free range my chickens like that but have decided electric poultry netting is the best compromise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Sadly, I don't think she has gone broody - she never did, and I don't think that hens go broody at this time of year anyway....I guess I shall just have to accept the fact that she has been taken by a fox in broad daylight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Oh dear how sad I have heard of chickens reappearing after a while though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindafw Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 fingers crossed you are wrong...one of my girls went missing for 3 days and then reappeared so you never know...safest to assume she has gone to the eglu in the sky then if a miracle happens you will be smiling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dixie chick Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Thanks all, for your sympathy and words of hope - if she does turn up it will be a miracle - and you can be sure that I will be on here to share that miracle.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted October 31, 2011 Share Posted October 31, 2011 Hoping for the best, Dixie. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
