Hi EJ, i was hoping to hear that they came back for food,and they still may do so,i know how you feel after all the care and effort you put in to rearing them up to the tragedy,its always upsetting to lose fowl or animals,but start thinking of a new project,rat proof and fox proof,and start again,you can do it!.
I was really hoping that at least some your little ones would have returned overnight. Maybe they'll filter back slowly over the next few days. If not then I hope thay can learn to survive in the big, wide world. A sad time for you and the children must be really upset too. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.