Devastated

[coreopsis]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss.
Foxes aren't nice-they might look cute and most of people probably has the attitude"live and let live" but the worst thing about them is-they won't kill one or two chooks to satisfy they hunger.Once they get to hens,it doesn't matter if you have 3 or 30 of them.Fox will kill them all if undisturbed.
I hope you'll recover from your loss soon.

[Nicos]

Just about to let mine out- and I was thinking of you.
It'll seem a bit strange today
xx

[Hilary B]

I'm sorry to hear about your loss.
Foxes aren't nice-they might look cute and most of people probably has the attitude"live and let live" but the worst thing about them is-they won't kill one or two chooks to satisfy they hunger.Once they get to hens,it doesn't matter if you have 3 or 30 of them.Fox will kill them all if undisturbed.
I hope you'll recover from your loss soon.

ANY predator will kill as many as they can grab in a 'captive prey' situation. Their instincts take a while to switch from 'hunt' to 'eat'. In the wild the rest of the flock/herd etc would be running away, but in a closed run....
Foxes are great rat killers BTW........

[dozey1]

So sorry, i dread it happening, thinking of you...

[T-lady]

I've just caught up with this post - so sorry that this has happened chick, there's no justice in nature, just nature.

[allotmentlady]

Sorry to hear about your chooks, hope this year will be better. I know it doesnt help but the vixen was only doing was it natural to her. WHEN your run is completely fox proof, it will be a different ball game for you all. Good luck.

[digthatchick]

WHEN your run is completely fox proof, it will be a different ball game for you all. Good luck.

As was mentioned earlier - the run IS completely foxproof, the hens were free
ranging at the time in the garden with me. I left them briefly ... at my cost.

[Nicos]

Are you ready to consider replacing them yet?
I bet it's strange not having them around?

[digthatchick]

Are you ready to consider replacing them yet?
I bet it's strange not having them around?

It is very strange to be in the garden today without the - "bok bok bok" all around you. Yes Nicos, I will replace them soon I am just increasing the run size from 15' to 25' in an L shape so that they will get sun and shade if they are to stay in the pen.

I reckon about two weeks max

[minskey]

I've just read your original post digthatchick & I am so sorry, its so sad. I know it will happen to me one day, really dread it. Lots & lots of ((((hugs))))

[Nicos]

Found some fox scat near the chooks 'dormatory' when I put them to bed!

...watch out folks the Renards are about!!!!

[frias]

My lot spent most of the day in the enclosed run which they were not happy about. They had just 1 hour free ranging and I stood at the kitchen door for the whole time. I told them it was for their own good but don't think they understood. It's a very difficult choice. Let them out when there might be danger or keep them in a run when they are used to being out. Roll on the summer when everyone is in their gardens again.

[pipscariad]

I was so, so sorry to hear your dreadful news digthatchick. As others have said, it's what us chicken keepers all dread the most. I worry endlessly about my chooks at the moment, as it is a lean and hungry time of year for the foxes. I'm glad to hear that you plan to get some more, they won't replace your others, but you'll have the "bok bok" for company again. Love and (((hugs))) from me too.

[davefromthechipie]

Hi digthatchick sorry to hear this I know the feeling lossin pets/livestock And its not good :/ Since moving not lost any chickens still its a worry everyday as they are freerange . I hope You think about the good times you gave them and the happy life they had compered to most chickens.
Please dont let this put you off keeping chickens in the future.
I know what im about to say is abit taboo and alot of people are against it and yes i can see there point ie killing foxes will only delay the mater as an other one will replace it' FACT ( once you start your have to keep killing more ) and that its part of nature that a fox wants an easy meal .Once a fox knows where to hunt you have 2 options make a fox proof run ( downside chickens are kept in a small area ) or keeping the chickens freerange and kill that fox and maybe being safe for a month or for years ,and that your birds have a full life (downside the next fox that comes will kill again without you knowing and you have killed a poor animal just using its instincts) I do shot them and rats myself ;I use the right gear please dont use an airgun or the like .. todo this' Its right to hire a professional if you go for this option .
best wishes
dave
ps
if you do get rid of this fox once dead you need to put something like lion poo around your garden/ male dog poo and your hair cuttings and male urine

[Hans Mum]

if you do get rid of this fox once dead you need to put something like lion poo around your garden/ male dog poo and your hair cuttings and male urine

dave, do any of these really work or are they 'urban' miths, reason i ask is we have a male (neutered) dog and when hes exercised we do the right thing and collect his poo and deposit it appropriately, should i let him do his business in the garden? my SIL is a hairdresser so i have an unlimited supply of hair clippings, cant get OH to pee on compost so ive not a chance in the back garden and theres not many lions in leeds