[Carla]

I posted the other day asking about old age in my ex-batts, as Nelly was becoming very slow and doddery. Well the chicken grim reaper visited last night...in the shape of Mr Fox. He took Nelly and killed her and then tried to kill Flo, but luckily my son heard the commotion and went flying out into the garden, scaring the fox off and Flo was saved, minus lots of feathers, but alive and uninjured. It was as they were putting themselves to bed....7:30pm 
I was out, thankfully, and had the bad news when I got home. My son had buried her, bless his teenage (yes, I know!!) heart xxx
So it wasnt old age that took my darling Nelly after all, but I'm happy she went quickly instead of it being dragged out for days as it seemed it was going to be with her slowly deteriorating 

[flitwickone]

sorry to hear of nellys demise but i think mother nature intervened so she never suffered

[NormandyMary]

So sorry to hear this sad news Carly. Lets just hope that it was very quick. Nelly is now up there in Chookie Heaven with the others.

Big hugs coming over to you from la belle France!

Mary.

[ANHBUC]

Sad news  but atleast she did not spend her whole life as a battery hen and has had your love and attention which will have made her life a happier one.  Remember to say well done from us to your son, you should be really proud of him being so thoughtfull.  He is a credit to you.

[sneezer]

Sorry to hear about Nelly at least she knew what being a chicken was all about with you, how is Flo? I hope she isn't traumatised by the attack

[New shoot]

It would have been quick so poor Nelly wouldn't have known much about it Carla.  Like everyone else has said, she had a wonderful golden retirement being a proper chicken 

Hope Flo is OK and gets over it soon.  Really good news she has no bites.  Chickens are tough little critters and their powers of recovery are amazing at times 

[Carla]

Flo's fine, she's a tough old bird. She's survived the battery farm, a dog attack, a huge prolapse and a fox attack....I though it was cats that had 9 lives!!
The flock wont go down the bottom of the garden now though and are petrified of the end of the run that nelly was attacked in, getting them to bed last night was a mission, but they seem less tetchy today. I like to think it was Mother Nature doing her bit for Nelly too.
We've trained the dog to run down the garden barking whenever we say 'FOX', so she was sent out regularly at dusk last night, letting Mr Fox that big bad Maisy lives here (she's a half soaked labrador!) 
Flo is currently sat in the dogs bed, watching Top Gear...normal business resumed

[New shoot]

Flo is currently sat in the dogs bed, watching Top Gear...normal business resumed

  

[NormandyMary]

They do LOVE the telly dont they? Monty used to adore watching the cricket!

[Lindeggs]

What a shock!    That wasn't the news I was expecting of poor Nelly!  You're right though, if she was likely to have a long, drawn-out fading away, at least this way it was quick.

I second ANHBUC's views about your son.  I don't know many teenage boys who would be that thoughtful, to have buried Nelly before you got home.  That's a boy to be proud of.

[Carla]

  Just heard a noise at the back door, and when I opened it, there was Mr Fox!! My lab Maisy went bombing out after it, chased it all round our garden, into the chicken run and the fox was trying to clear the fence to the field behind, but couldn't. Maisy chased it up and down until it scrabbled over next doors fence. It nearly had a heart attack trying to get out. Dont think that one will be back in a hurry. Kill my chicken will you!! Mwhahahaaaaa 

[ANHBUC]

 

I would have paid to see that. 
I worry about our poorly old cat, the hens are secure but hope the fox is not hungry enough to have a go at her.  She is in and out of the cat flap all night but hopefully Mr Fox won't tackle a cat.

[Anndee]

Nice one Maisie