agold23
Songster
- May 25, 2021
- 163
- 444
- 111
6:30am I was letting my flock of 5 outside. Phoebe, my 10 week old silkie chick slept in the nesting box so I grabbed him and let him down on the floor not knowing this was the last time I’d ever hold him. Rex the silkie rooster crowed loudly from the roost which startled me. I didn’t know this was the last time I’d hear his shrill call. Rex then gave Nugget the RIR pullet a peck on the head cause she was getting too close to him. I quickly left the coop because I had to leave in 15 mins for my 8 hour shift at the dog kennel where I had decided to bring my own dog Cricket in for daycare while I worked. I was supposed to be working 3-8pm instead of 7-3 but a coworker and I switched shifts.
Just after 3pm I had reached my house. As I walked out of the way from the tree line I see my dad standing there at the edge of the lawn. I let Cricket my dog off lead and she goes to greet him. I come closer and see a trail of white fluffy stuff, thinking maybe a pile of mushrooms sprouted in the night and I hadn’t noticed when I set off this morning. I cross the street and get closer to him. I see an upset look on his face and look back at the “mushrooms”. A grim realization hits me. Those are Rex’s feathers.
He tells me a fox got not only Rex but Nugget too and he couldn’t find Phoebe the little chick either. I immediately burst into tears. I run to the backyard where the coop and run are and see Lexi and Dori, the remaining two hens.
They are fine thankfully. After 30 mins of crying we collected Rexs feathers. I buried them beside the grave of my hen BB. I decided to add one of Nugget’s eggs from the fridge as something to bury for her.
My mom and sister were home at the time of the attack. My mom said she heard a loud squawk and looked out the window to the road to see a fox running with Nugget in its mouth. Lexi also ran to the road and was later found in the ditch across the road. By the time she saw Nugget being taken, Rex and Phoebe were already gone. It was too late.
I am so upset about the sheer fact that this happened. My mind has been swimming, especially with what if questions. What if I hadn’t brought my dog into work so she’d be able to go outside and possibly get the foxes? What if I hadn’t switched shifts so I’d be able to bring my dog outside as I do normally during the day? What were their final moments like? Where are they now? How long did they suffer? Are those the same foxes who took Nuggets brother Plum, 2 weeks ago?
I care for all of my animals so much. I am absolutely heartbroken I had to lose them like this. I miss them so much and I am especially upset about poor Phoebe. How could this have happened? How could I have let this happened?
Phoebe, who lost his mom, BB, 7 weeks of age. He was just getting used to the flock at the bottom of the pecking order. He is now with her in the afterlife.
Rex, whose looks made up for his rude personality. I can confidently say he loved his girls and definitely went down with a fight. I admire him for that.
And sweet little Nugget who was skittish but such a wonderful bird to have around.
I am so sorry my chickies that this happened. No words can explain how regretful and apologetic I am. I care about you all so much and it’ll never be the same around with all of you gone. I’m not mad at the foxes, I know they have to eat. I’m mad that you guys were the ones they chose. Rex, Phoebe and Nugget, thank you for letting me love you.
Just after 3pm I had reached my house. As I walked out of the way from the tree line I see my dad standing there at the edge of the lawn. I let Cricket my dog off lead and she goes to greet him. I come closer and see a trail of white fluffy stuff, thinking maybe a pile of mushrooms sprouted in the night and I hadn’t noticed when I set off this morning. I cross the street and get closer to him. I see an upset look on his face and look back at the “mushrooms”. A grim realization hits me. Those are Rex’s feathers.
He tells me a fox got not only Rex but Nugget too and he couldn’t find Phoebe the little chick either. I immediately burst into tears. I run to the backyard where the coop and run are and see Lexi and Dori, the remaining two hens.
They are fine thankfully. After 30 mins of crying we collected Rexs feathers. I buried them beside the grave of my hen BB. I decided to add one of Nugget’s eggs from the fridge as something to bury for her.
My mom and sister were home at the time of the attack. My mom said she heard a loud squawk and looked out the window to the road to see a fox running with Nugget in its mouth. Lexi also ran to the road and was later found in the ditch across the road. By the time she saw Nugget being taken, Rex and Phoebe were already gone. It was too late.
I am so upset about the sheer fact that this happened. My mind has been swimming, especially with what if questions. What if I hadn’t brought my dog into work so she’d be able to go outside and possibly get the foxes? What if I hadn’t switched shifts so I’d be able to bring my dog outside as I do normally during the day? What were their final moments like? Where are they now? How long did they suffer? Are those the same foxes who took Nuggets brother Plum, 2 weeks ago?
I care for all of my animals so much. I am absolutely heartbroken I had to lose them like this. I miss them so much and I am especially upset about poor Phoebe. How could this have happened? How could I have let this happened?
Phoebe, who lost his mom, BB, 7 weeks of age. He was just getting used to the flock at the bottom of the pecking order. He is now with her in the afterlife.
Rex, whose looks made up for his rude personality. I can confidently say he loved his girls and definitely went down with a fight. I admire him for that.
And sweet little Nugget who was skittish but such a wonderful bird to have around.
I am so sorry my chickies that this happened. No words can explain how regretful and apologetic I am. I care about you all so much and it’ll never be the same around with all of you gone. I’m not mad at the foxes, I know they have to eat. I’m mad that you guys were the ones they chose. Rex, Phoebe and Nugget, thank you for letting me love you.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your babies 
.
