dianneS
Songster
I had a beautiful little spangled OEGB and she's always wanted a nesting spot of her own. She always got pushed around by the bigger birds and would get shoved away from food and off of nests.
Any time she would get a chance to get some privacy, like up in the hayloft, she would make herself a little nest. She finally laid a nest full of eggs and decided to hatch them! She's been broody for about a week. I figured she'd be really safe and sound in the hayloft since we had another banty hatch 10 chicks up there.
This morning I went out to feed, and there was a bunch of hay and dirt from the loft above in the center aisle between the horse stalls?? I knew something had to have been running around up in the loft to knock that much dirt down. I went up to check on my little girl. She was gone and her eggs were scattered about.
I went searching for her. I found her in the loft, eaten, all but her wings and legs.
I know it was a fox. A racoon or skunk would have killed her and taken the eggs. This thing left the eggs and her food and killed and ate her. There was also dog sized poop in the loft too. I wish I wouldn't have left her up there, I should have moved her some place safer.
I just never thought a fox would go up into the loft!??
We have a guardian dog, but he doesn't have access to that part of the barn, so there was nothing he could have done. I can't believe that fox is so bold!
My neighbor has seen him too and this fox is not afraid of anything! I know he's been in my hayloft before. I'm really upset about this and I want that fox gone!!
Why is it when I lose a chicken, its always one of the most special ones?? She was my little girl and she was finally going to get to be a mom.
Do you think her eggs are still viable for hatching? Could I put them in and incubator, or is it too late? Some are still jiggly when I shake them, she was setting for about a week before this happened.
Any time she would get a chance to get some privacy, like up in the hayloft, she would make herself a little nest. She finally laid a nest full of eggs and decided to hatch them! She's been broody for about a week. I figured she'd be really safe and sound in the hayloft since we had another banty hatch 10 chicks up there.
This morning I went out to feed, and there was a bunch of hay and dirt from the loft above in the center aisle between the horse stalls?? I knew something had to have been running around up in the loft to knock that much dirt down. I went up to check on my little girl. She was gone and her eggs were scattered about.
I went searching for her. I found her in the loft, eaten, all but her wings and legs.
We have a guardian dog, but he doesn't have access to that part of the barn, so there was nothing he could have done. I can't believe that fox is so bold!
Why is it when I lose a chicken, its always one of the most special ones?? She was my little girl and she was finally going to get to be a mom.
Do you think her eggs are still viable for hatching? Could I put them in and incubator, or is it too late? Some are still jiggly when I shake them, she was setting for about a week before this happened.
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