A wretched state

Please forgive me for posting this blip. I do so because last night I was so upset myself to discover that my place had had a visit from a fox and the brave cock here put up an incredible fight to protect the hens.

The poor thing, Tom, is in a wretched state and would not come out of the coop all day today. I am hoping that he will be ok. I thought I had lost the three hens as well because they were nowhere to be found last night. But they reappeared this morning from the end of the garden. They were fine though a bit nervy all day. They are in the coop keeping Tom warm tonight now that he has been well and truly plucked alive.

Nature is so cruel.