Chicken was attacked by a coyote and I feel guilty

[Loacker]

I was in bed getting a good sleep until my sister comes in the room and tells me that there's a coyote in the yard, and it has one of the chickens in his mouth. I got up quickly and ran, by the time I got out the coyote already escaped under the fence with the chicken under his mouth, That chicken was the most sweetest chicken ever, She was the type to follow me around and was hostile with the other chickens. Now what I'm guilty about is that I didn't close the pin doors last night meaning the coyote got in easily because it was my fault.

Yup My fault and I Have to live with this guilt until I'm in my death-bed. Now why I'm writing this is because I don't want to feel like I'm the only guilty person in this world who made a terrible mistake and technically murdered her chicken.
Edit:
Thank you guys, That really did help. I'll make sure to learn from this mistake and keep my chickens safer.

 

[The Phantom]

I'm Sorry!
The coyote will probably come back, I would shoot it. Maybe put some bait out for it.

 

[sourland]

It's happened to most of us. Use it as a lesson well learned and remember to check your coops each night. The coyote will be back so it may be a good idea to keep your birds confined.

 

[DobieLover]

It is a very hard way to learn a lesson but you will never ever forget to close up the pen again.
And just so you don't feel alone in your guilt, for over 7 years I have held onto the guilt that I think I killed my 31 year old blind Appaloosa mare. I think I fed her too much warm bran mash and she ended up with an impaction colic and I had to put her to sleep.
Things will look up soon. Welcome to BYC.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Loacker,

You are not, "the only guilty person in this world who made a terrible mistake". Two years ago, I lost my precious Inky, to a bobcat. It was during the day, I thought they were safe in my back yard, so I went into the house for a while. When the rooster started to sound the alarm, I ran as fast as I have ever run in my life! But it wasn't enough. I lost her to the bobcat.

Do not carry this to your deathbed. Live and learn, as all chicken keepers have, or will learn.

I am so sorry for your loss. I know...it is very painful.

God Bless

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

With all my sympathy, for the loss of your chicken.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

It seems like it always happen that one time you forget.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry for your loss.

I have accidentally forgotten to lock up a few times. I got lucky, that's all! There is no need to feel guilty long term, it won't help you and it won't bring the hen back. It was an accident, we all make mistakes!

What is important is that you remember to lock up in the future. I have been known to go out in the middle of the night to lock up if I thought I missed one and suddenly remembered.

I agree with other your coyote will be back for seconds. If it is legal and you are able... be prepared and dispatch it.

It's ok to take responsibility... but you don't have to play the blame game. Feel your grief, but don't make it worse than it has to be on yourself. Everything has to eat. I'm sure that sweet hen had a great life with (you) someone who cares! I hope your heart will heal quickly.

 

[Jase The Butcher]

I'm sorry for the losses
i just had it happen yesterday. the coyotes wiped out my barred rock flock

 

[Jase The Butcher]

Sorry for your loss.

I have accidentally forgotten to lock up a few times. I got lucky, that's all! There is no need to feel guilty long term, it won't help you and it won't bring the hen back. It was an accident, we all make mistakes!

What is important is that you remember to lock up in the future. I have been known to go out in the middle of the night to lock up if I thought I missed one and suddenly remembered.

I agree with other your coyote will be back for seconds. If it is legal and you are able... be prepared and dispatch it.

It's ok to take responsibility... but you don't have to play the blame game. Feel your grief, but don't make it worse than it has to be on yourself. Everything has to eat. I'm sure that sweet hen had a great life with (you) someone who cares! I hope your heart will heal quickly.

this member is awesome. listen to all he/she has to say.

definitely a member worth following