[Alby]

 Hi all,  a word of warning to all those who thinkl they are safe !!

Went down to my girls this morning, opened the locks, opened the "airlock" wire gate and then opened the henhouse !!! Get the picture re, security

Found 4 girls dead and one needing to be despatched all had the back of thier necks bitten out without another mark on them. No sign of the preditor or how they had got in. Cleaned out the bedding...........nothing, moved the nest boxes............ nothing, checked the door, pophole, windows...........nothing. I was stumped, went to feed the survivers and kicked the trough and there under the permanent trough was a hole nearly as big as my fist !!!!!!!!.

 PLEASE, WHEN YOU ARE CHECKING THE RUN AND HOUSE MAKE SURE YOU MOVE ANYTHING THAT IS PLACED ON THE FLOOR OR AGAINST THE SIDE OF HE HOUSE.

It was probably a stoat or ferret , a rat ? dont think so given the bite to the neck and no other damage.

Needless to say Ive closed the door now that the horse has done a runner, so learn by my mistake 

     Cheers Alby

[Kathie]

Hi Alby,

Thanks for the warning, to think of others at such an awful time is so considerate.
So sorry about the loss of your girls

Kathie

[bownty]

oh *...disaster!!

[orchardlady]

Sad to her of your animal disaster. You sound very pragmatic about the situation and thank you for sharing your new knowledge. I hope the survivors and you recover from the trauma soon.

[jinty1911]

That is so sad, and after all your security.  Hugs 

[NormandyMary]

So many of us are losing our darlings for so many reasons. Its very sad, and this latest tale is tragic. Im so very sorry for your loss.
Im glad that you have been able to find out how the offender(s) got in. Hopefully your girls will now be safe and sound.
My thoughts are with you.

Mary.

[bantam novice]

A timely warning, thank you.  So sorry for your loss 

[joyfull]

sorry for your loss  xx

[ehs284]

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for your warning. We do have stoats, weasels etc here, but I tend to think of foxes as the enemy. Sounds like I'm too narrow.

[evie2]

Sorry for your loss Alby, what a dreadful sight to greet you.  I never consider small predators, only foxes and badgers, but I will from now on, thank you for the warning.   

[GrannieAnnie]

My initial thought was rat, but my Brian thinks it was probably a stoat Alby, he said they bite, drink the blood but leave the animal behind.

Nasty little things.  I am so sorry for your losses.   

[Alby]

Just back from a few weeks working in Holand and France ansd just read your replies !!!   Thank you so much for the hugs, and ye sthe girls seem safe now. REplaced them with 7 Bovan Goldlines which are ex-barn birds but after a little TLC they are doing fine, they are feather pckers and look rather scruffywith tar on thier backsides  but lay a nice large brown egg.

    Fingers crossed,  thanks again

       REgards  Alby

[bantam novice]

Thanks for updating us, Alby.  I'm glad the girls are doing well 

[joyfull]

fingers crossed xx

[stan deakin]

thanks for the warning why does everything want to kill chickens like foxes rats stoats weasels cats dogs etc

stan