Stupidity

The biggest threat to poultry is a stupid and careless keeper.
Last night I broke the golden rule of hen keeping. I overlooked the shutting of one of the poultry coop doors.
This morning,after I fed the pigs in the newly settled snow, I turned to see my largest coop's door open to the elements. I couldn't quite believe it, as I am fastidious in my routine of shutting the stock up for the night, but there it was , an open door and an empty coop.
I looked around; there was no blood, feathers or any signs of trauma, but all 8 hens had gone.
It didn't take long to find them, well I found five dead birds and one living hen ( a hybrid called Rose). She was cold , but unhurt under one of the coops further up the field, the five others were decapitated and scattered in the snow by the perimeter fencing.
The situation was clear, a fox had taken the opportunity I had stupidly given it, and had killed the lot.
I am so angry and upset with myself.When it comes to my animals I am not at all slap dash, but I and I alone had put the hens in direct danger from a predator who would do the most damage.
The hens killed included Jessop and her sister, the two young buffs, Bill the handsome black rock cockerel and four other young birds who I raised from chicks last year. All of the hens had only started laying properly since our last fall of snow.
First the badger kills the guinea fowl, now a fox with my assistance, kills my hens.
I feel as though I have let the field population and myself down.