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That is certainly true and yet time and again on this site, there are additional kills after a first kill, without attempts to batten down the hatches after the first one. Guess I read one too many of those sad tales in the past few days, so many I can't count them at this point. I am frustrated about this, admittedly, as it is distressing to think of the terror the bird's endure when being attacked and all too often, ripped apart alive, especially when so much of it is preventable.
It could have been possible that this OP had done everything imaginable after the first kill to try to prevent another - and I would normally be absolutely sure before uttering a peep on behalf of a peep - but I had a strong sense it wasn't quite exactly like that (though one should never ever presume, even if one is slightly psychic :^)).
As we now know, the designated method of pred control was off duty so while the bird's death wasn't intentional by any means, it could likely have been prevented with due diligence. We are choosing to keep a species that is by and large utterly incapable of defending itself and so it is our job to do it for them, if we want to keep them safe. And when it's already known that a pred is on the take (in this case, the first broody that got killed) we have a heads up that there's an accident waiting to happen.
OP, I know you didn't want any of this to happen. And I'm equally certain you don't want it to happen yet again. The pred will be back and maybe even today. I would strongly consider getting your birds in lockdown temporarily, unless you're sure your dogs can fend off a determined pred who has discovered a gold mine and isn't ready to give it up. Again, I am sorry for these sad losses. And for being a bit tough on this subject - sorry that you were the 'lucky' one - there are times now and then when I guess I'm channeling the birds - saying what I think they would say to us, if only they could. I hope all will be well with the rest of your birds (and the eggs) for a long time to come.
JJ
