Hello
I'm new here. We lost our 8 to a fox a few nights ago. I'm struggling with the grief and wanted to share with those who would understand. We had been away for 2 weeks and my mum was visiting everyday to feed/water them. But one day she left the back door of the eglu cube unlocked without realising. The door must have stayed in place for days but on the night we returned the chickens must have pushed it open from the inside and the fox got to them. If only we had checked them after arriving (it was 11pm) they would still be with us. It's even more gutting as we do normally check on them after a holiday even if returning late. When I woke up i checked the camera in bed and couldn't believe my eyes. The cage was empty and i could see light coming from inside the coop. I ran outside and saw feathers scattered everywhere and every single one gone. Everything reminds me of them in the garden. The plum tree they loved the plum stones they left behind underneath it. The spots they used to dust bathe in. The deafening silence when we open the window in the morning. How they used to sprint towards us when they thought we had treats. How they loiter around us when doing gardening. More memories than I realise and such huge void they leave. The fact that it was preventable and the fact that we missed them on our holiday and how much we were looking forward to letting them out first thing really cuts deep. I wanted to share with anyone who has been through similar. My heart is heavy and I'm tired of feeling this way.
I'm new here. We lost our 8 to a fox a few nights ago. I'm struggling with the grief and wanted to share with those who would understand. We had been away for 2 weeks and my mum was visiting everyday to feed/water them. But one day she left the back door of the eglu cube unlocked without realising. The door must have stayed in place for days but on the night we returned the chickens must have pushed it open from the inside and the fox got to them. If only we had checked them after arriving (it was 11pm) they would still be with us. It's even more gutting as we do normally check on them after a holiday even if returning late. When I woke up i checked the camera in bed and couldn't believe my eyes. The cage was empty and i could see light coming from inside the coop. I ran outside and saw feathers scattered everywhere and every single one gone. Everything reminds me of them in the garden. The plum tree they loved the plum stones they left behind underneath it. The spots they used to dust bathe in. The deafening silence when we open the window in the morning. How they used to sprint towards us when they thought we had treats. How they loiter around us when doing gardening. More memories than I realise and such huge void they leave. The fact that it was preventable and the fact that we missed them on our holiday and how much we were looking forward to letting them out first thing really cuts deep. I wanted to share with anyone who has been through similar. My heart is heavy and I'm tired of feeling this way.
I wish I could say something that helps with the grief... When we lose a bird I am always ready to get another one. Maybe some more birds to love! 
