The Hunt is On!

Its annual Hunt Day across the nation and whilst the spectacle causes much controversy, and whilst I have never totally been a follower, this year I was somewhat made to see its fanfare in a very different light.

Six nights ago I lay slumbering in my bed, curtains drawn back, clear night, visibility excellent for stargazing, moon slowly rising and satellites plying their courses across the inky sky. All was quiet, serene and peaceful as I eventually dropped into the land of Nod.

Then....At 2:17 precisely, all pandemonium broke loose in our semi suburban orchard......and I leapt like a rocket from my slumbers. Too late...the deed was done....A scene of slaughter such as I have never experienced the like of before, or wish to see again.

Oh Mr Ferdinand, what have you done? What havoc, what wastage, what complete and utter futility to massacre eight of our ten laying hens and leave with just the carcase of one. No-one denies a hungry fox enough to feed himself and his equally hungry brood...but such senseless carnage cannot be excused, even for you. How stealthily you crossed beneath my window on velvet padded paws....how cunningly you broke through the 'fox proof' mesh and locks that secured the warmth and safety of their nesting boxes

To what end did all have to die such horribly painful deaths for the sake of just one morsel for your family? Would you have returned for the carcasses of the seven you so savagely mutilated? Was it just a game for you that we had to complete your darstadly deed and put them out of their painful misery ourselves?

Play fair, my foxy friend, play fair!

The Hunt is on........and Mr Ferdinand, just one of you will feel the need to flee the baying of the hounds......though with your cunning and your stealth.....you will no doubt look back at the end of the chase today and relish the way, you have once more, outsmarted the sport of man and beast.

364 days left to go till Boxing Day comes round again....stay smart my foxy friend...stay smart!

Our remaining, undamaged 2 hens are so traumatised...anyone know of a good hen psychiatrist!!

1 Master of the Hunt
2 The Lacock Hounds
3 He always runs with them
4 The youngest member of the Hunt