I've lost my flock!

[rparrny]

Had the girls free ranging all day, went out tonight to put them away and found three dead and the fourth missing...
I noticed the grass had been cut but the service that I hire. Not sure if they ran them over...although I didn't see feathers everywhere, or if they let in a dog who went after them...the gate was locked when I went out. I am devastated, even more so because I'm not sure what happened...I've called the lawn service to find out if the guys saw anything and am waiting for a call back....

Rivka

 

[tellynpeep]

That's awful... I'm so sorry!
Do any of them have any wounds that you can see... bite wounds by a dog or fox will usually be on the back, under the wings, and over the tail.
I hope you find out what happened..... I recently lost many to dogs then a fox attack and I know how sad this is... So sorry...

 

[rparrny]

It was too dark too properly examine them, I will check in the morning when I have better light. The gate was locked so I'm not sure if a hawk got them or if when they opened the gate, they let a dog in. I was home the whole day, if they had let me know I would have put them in the coop...it's a big property and I don't always know when they are here as the area directly around the house is wood chips and the lawn area is further out on the property.

 

[real_redhead]

So sorry I hope you find out what happened.

 

[rparrny]

So I went out this morning to examine the bodies in the light. Now I notice that there ARE feathers everywhere, just didn't see it in the dusk. The first bird I check is decapitated and when I examine the neck the cut through the bone is clean and straight. I didn't need to check the others, I got my answer right there. Telling the little girls next door that have been coming over nearly every day to check for eggs and feed them meal worms is going to be brutal for me.
I take responsibility for the loss, I thought I had clearly communicated to the service how we would deal with the paddock....obviously I did a really crappy job...I have failed my first four girls and as I ready the coop for my chicks in the house I wonder if I am worthy of their care.
RIP my girls...I'm so sorry.

Rivka

 

[Jadnils]

WOW...so sorry for your loss...that is just awful. You have now learned the hard way as I am afraid we all do sometimes. I'm sure you are very chicken worthy and a great mommy. But, honestly, didn't those guys see a bunch of chickens? Just hard to fathom that they didn't....

 

[highpointfarm]

So sorry, I know how it feels.. i lost 2 chicks a few weeks ago to a hawk =/

 

[Dutchess]

Unfortunately, I know how you feel and I'm so sorry for your loss. I too had a loss yesterday afternoon, three out of four gone. Your new babies will be fine, try not to worry too much.

 

[drpurl]

I am sorry for your loss.