ohcarolina Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 A couple of years ago I lost one of my first hens to a fox at Christmas (they were having a quick FR) and I promised 'never again'. Well the run is a muddy stinking lake and I'm off work next week so have promised the girls I'll move their Cube and run and set it up with hardwood chips and the works. In the meantime I've been letting them FR in the garden for a bit to get away from the mud after work each evening. I've got complacent and carried on with chores inside as I've not seen a fox for ages but know they are around. Tonight disaster has struck; the FOX cry went up from my lodger (so grateful he looked out the upstairs window) and I was straight out in the garden in bare feet in the rain & mud. We chased the fox off - it was standing bold as brass in the middle of the garden thinking on another attack - and it even stood ground when I followed it into the allotments behind the house. I found daft Bella the pretty Bluebelle decapitated under the hedge. Sweet Poppy the Rhode Rock is missing. Persephone - who is still under the weather after sour crop - appeared from under the garden table in shock. She has bite marks under her wing and feathers are still coming out of her. I've purple sprayed her and am crossing my fingers that she'll survive the shock. The other remaining 4 are shocked but seem to be unharmed. The guilt is now setting in and I know I'll have to keep an eye on their health for a while now. I don't deserve or want sympathy - the blame lies squarely with me - but if anyone has any suggestions on what I should give my poor girls as a tonic and to help them over the shock I'd be grateful. Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 Oh I am so sorry, what an awful thing to have happened but don't blame yourself, you were doing your best for your girls. I really hope they get over the shock ok, there is a remedy you can put in their water but I cant remember the name. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will be along with some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 How awful, I'm so sorry . Don't blame yourself, you had your girls' best interests at heart. I hope Poppy reappears and Persephone recovers . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennym Posted May 3, 2012 Share Posted May 3, 2012 So sorry for your poor girls, I know the foxes are just doing what they are meant to do but I HATE them. I saw one pawing at my eglu a few hours ago, girls cowered in the far corner. It was still daylight, just turning to dusk. Grrr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohcarolina Posted May 4, 2012 Author Share Posted May 4, 2012 Thanks everyone. I don't normally shut them in but did last night as I wanted to give them a once over this morning whilst in the cube. They all hopped out as usual with no stiffness. However although Persy seems OK at the moment she stood at the top of the cube steps without getting down so I lifted her out and into the run (I think my wing would be stiff with fox's teeth marks in it). I'm just worried about infection. The other 5 (sooooo empty with the 2 missing) seem OK in themselves and I have next week off work so I can keep an eye on them all. The two I've lost were 'friends of different factions in the coop but I'm worried about Ethel as Bella was her buddy as I got them together and they were inseparable. I just hope she's OK to see off the bullies but the dynamics in the run change all the time so fingers crossed. I think I'll go buy a job lot of treats and mealworms. They deserve them. Or am I just trying to ignore my feelings of guilt? Foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Dont feel guilty - we nearly lost our elderly bun to a fox - he didnt seem interested in the hens but the bunny had my son not said "ooh look theres a fox" (i didnt belive him) would have been a gonna. He had been on the lawn under a run for yrs at this place and our old house - I would go to work and think nothing of it. If we hadnt been there he would be gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vickichicky Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 It really is your worst nightmare come true isn't it So sorry for you. I too have been letting mine out to escape the mud in the WIR - I've been making sure I've been out there with them as this time last year I lost my Amber chicken (Amber) to a fox in the front garden in bright sunshine But saying that I had my heart in my mouth last night as I was slightly distracted re-arranging my new Quail abode and let the big girls go farther out into the horses field than I intended.... I heard a chook alarm cry and ran a full speed to the fence but it was only the Barn owl flying overhead that spooked them. My legs were still too wobbly with post adrenaline rush to squat back down and carry on with the Quails - I had to watch all my girls safely back within the garden and eyeshot..... I would as you say give them some tonic - I did after I lost Amber last year as they were jittery for a few days afterwards - even running when the cat strolled past. My thoughts are with you xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitchHazel Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Try not to feel guilty. It's a horrible thing to happen but, at least for the girls the fox got, the end was quick: in the meantime, they had happy free range lives. to you, and to your surviving ladies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeky Chooky Posted May 4, 2012 Share Posted May 4, 2012 Sorry to hear that As the others have already said, try not to blame yourself *hug* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bouldercroft Posted May 5, 2012 Share Posted May 5, 2012 I had a fox take one of my girls last week - broad daylight and unusual for us here in Boston. It totally sucks and I'm really really sorry. You do deserve sympathy as no chicken owner ever deserves it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohcarolina Posted May 6, 2012 Author Share Posted May 6, 2012 Happy to report that Persephone is taking the medicine and doing well in 'hospital'. Here's a link to a pic of her enjoying a tomato. I can't get it into the message no matter what I try Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 She is really tucking into that tomato. Sending hugs to you for what has happened and hope that Persephone continues to make a full recovery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaspersmum Posted May 6, 2012 Share Posted May 6, 2012 Oh no poor you! As the other Omleteers have said, we've all been there. Might be worth a trip to the vet for antibiotics just in case? The lady who ran the chicken keeping course we went on a few years back said her vet always advised antibiotics as a precaution after a fox attack. Just a thought. And why do these things always happen on bank holiday weekend when everywhere's shut or charging double time?!! Best wishes to you all (hug) x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
