Harsh lessons.

Woke up this morning to carnage.

We've been very lucky with out chickens in the past, we've had them for around five years and never had any trouble with predators before.
But last night the fox saw an oppotunity and took it.

I thought we'd lost all four, Gatsby and the three hybrids we'd been given a few weeks ago, but as the sun got higher I found Gatsby wandering around, missing feathers, no tail anymore, a few scrapes, at least one nastier wound, but very much alive.

We've washed him off, cleaned up his wounds with salt water and purple spray.

Right now, he's in a box on the windowsill next to me, making the occasional sad noise.
All his wives are gone.
Can't help but feel desperately sorry for him.

Owen was upset and cursed the fox.
I pointed out that it was useless to blame the fox.
Chances are it was a vixen and some youngesters, the wounds Gatsby have could have been serious had an experienced fox caught him, they look to me though like a youngster grabbed him then let go as he started to fight back.
Foxes have to eat and the harsh winter probably depleted the usual abundance of rodents and rabbits down by the burn, what else can she do but look further afield.

The pen they were in was not fox proof.

Its my fault the fox got in, not the foxes fault for taking the oppotunity

Today will be spent mostly ramping up the security on the other chickens run and house, and hoping that Gatsby pulls though.

****************  Update!!  ******************

Sorry I didn't update this sooner but I was busy!

Not only did Gatsby survive , but one of the hens did as well!!

We found her late afternoon, very sore and scraped with a damaged wing, but very alive!

Over the last couple of days the pair of them have done really well, so fingers x'd for full recoveries for of them!