[Thrift]

I went to let out the hens and ducks at 9a.m today to be greeted by a dismal sight. 

From 7 hens and 5 ducks there was only one hen alive and well - quite a few dead birds and the remainder savagely attacked on the back of the neck. The poor ducks were particularly mutilated. Luckily OH was here to quickly dispatch the suffering birds - it made me realise that if he were not around I would never keep poultry, as I couldn't cope with such an event.

The lone hen has gone up to the farm with Ben the collie to mind her. Even Ben looked in the wheelbarrow at all the carcasses and seemed very quiet.

The really infuriating thing about all this is that the attacker ( presumably a mink ) had entered through a very small hole which should have been attended to!!

[kegs]

Oh Thrift that is just awful.  I am so very sorry that you have lost so many birds in one go.   

[New shoot]

Thrift, I'm so so sorry to hear your news    What an awful thing to start the morning with.

[snowdrops]

Poor Thrift what a dreadful end to your year.

[VickyW]

Oh I'm shocked! So sorry for such a huge loss xx

[bantam novice]

  So sorry Thrift.  A horrible thing to find.  I hope things look up for you in 2012.

[GrannieAnnie]

Oh Thrift, so sorry to hear your news love.

Just shows you what tiny holes those little s**ds can get through!

[alaj]

Thst is such a horrid way to start your day and end the year :-(
Hugs

[Thrift]

Thank you everyone. Somehow it was better that it happened yesterday and not today .....silly, but it doesn't now seem like an omen for 2012.

Our first feeling was not to bother again but now we are making plans. The henhouse is an old stone building so has the end and back wall built of stone. This is going to be completely pointed and repaired so there are no possible holes ( I love pointing )! The front is part boarded and then there is a wired area. The wire will be replaced with weld mesh which will be cemented into a low stone wall.

Good project for the new year ..... then more hens and ducks.   

[New shoot]

Glad you are feeling better about it Thrift  I really felt for you yesterday.

Fab project and then you can rebuild your flock 

[tosca100]

Really sorry to read about the raid on your poultry.

Glad you are making plans for more though. From what I can gather in these pages, once you have poultry you will be hooked, and life wouldn't be the same without them. :happy:

[joyfull]

sorry for what happened (I have had a couple of mink attacks myself so know the wanton destruction), but pleased you are feeling more positive. Get the thickest weldmesh with very small holes that you can and good luck for the future.

[lmpd]

That's an awful way to end the year, but here's to the new flock and to the new year - I certainly don't want to tempt fate, but you couldn't have a stroke of bad luck like that again!!!
 :happy:

[kegs]

The henhouse is an old stone building so has the end and back wall built of stone. This is going to be completely pointed and repaired so there are no possible holes ( I love pointing )! The front is part boarded and then there is a wired area. The wire will be replaced with weld mesh which will be cemented into a low stone wall.

Good project for the new year ..... then more hens and ducks.   

I love your attitude Thrift.  How about some before and after photos of your project?

[sarajane]

How heart breaking but how positive are you?  Onwards and upwards  :blink: