P&P Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 This is really awful - we've lost one of our chickens! They always go for a wander round the garden when we get home from work: we've got quite a big 'wild' garden that they enjoy rummaging in. When Pete went to round them up and put them to bed, Paula was missing. We've searched everywhere, but no sign of her at all. Last time Pete saw her, she was in the run, while the others were out and about. He thinks a fox might have come in and taken her, while we were back in the house. Would a fox do that in broad daylight? It was about 8 o'clock, but still very light. We did have a problem with foxes once before. Very upsetting and worrying - we'll be scared to let them out at all now, unless we're actually in the garden keeping guard. Feel really guilty too - she's only been with us just over a week, and we haven't looked after her very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jazz Girls Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 We hope she is just 'stopping out' for the night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellyb100 Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 I feel awful for you - I hope she turns up. If the worst has happened, at least she had a happy week roaming with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 Maybe she'll turn up in a neighbours garden in the morning. Lets hope so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 Foxes are about all day long, not just after dark. I do hope you find nher in the morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 Fingers crossed she turns up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 everything crossed for you... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 so sorry, hope she is perhaps just roosting somewhere ... but I'm afraid the scenario you've pictured is entirely possible. Most of the people on here whose chickens have been 'foxed' had it happen during daylight hours. I do hope she turns up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P&P Posted June 22, 2007 Author Share Posted June 22, 2007 Panic over!! Thanks to everyone for keeping fingers, etc. crossed - Paula emerged quite happily from the hedge this morning when Hubby went up to let the others out of the house. A bit wet and even more bedraggled than usual, but otherwise none the worse for her little 'stop-out'! Pete also found 2 eggs hidden in the hedge, so she's clearly been in there before! A happy ending this time, but we'll be very cautious now when we let them out, and try to round them up a bit earlier. Hopefully it means we don't have a fox lurking in the area at the moment, or he would have had a tasty morsel last night. (Poor Pete spent an hour and a half searching for her last night, then another hour tapping extra bits of wood all over the run to try to make it extra fox-proof, as we were worried about Mr Fox returning today if he knew we had chickens there) I wonder if the other girls have been bullying Paula a bit, and that's why she went off on her own. She often seems to be keeping out of their way. No more free-ranging now til Sunday, and we'll be keeping a very close eye on them all from now on!! At least I can go to work a bit happier!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Thank goodness for a happy ending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Phew....what a relief for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathy C Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Great news! ....and eggs too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Jazz Girls Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 We're really glad she was just a 'dirty little stop-out'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Good news you found her, must have been a sigh of relief seeing her this morning Karl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Phew! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 That's great news. Foxes rarely make a clean kill, and will usually leave feathers around to advertise that they've had one of your chooks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 so glad there is a happy ending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moochoo Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Phew...so glad she was ok. Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan H Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Sounds like she needs an ASBO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Curfew more like! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Glad she decided to come home Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley-Jean Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 I love a happy ending Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovemychooks Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 That's fantastic news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieP Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Great news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
