Penny the luckiest chook alive

[digthatchick]

Yesterday, while potting on some plants in the greenhouse, I let the chooks out as usual. They are only allowed out when someone is in the garden, after loosing six in a fox strike back in February.

After fifteen minutes or so there was a hell of a din near the chook house (15 feet from the greenhouse) and there was a fox, 8 o'clock in the evening with me not 15 feet away , it grabbed Penny (my Goldline) and tried to run off .. I shouted, I screamed, I ... well I just did, and it dropped Penny, the other five were running around terrified.

I gathered them all up, returned them to the pen and carefully checked over Penny. LOTS of feathers lost,no bites, though a stiff neck, and naturally scared. Today, ... three eggs five happy chooks, one Penny with a stiff neck, eating and drinking ok .. how close was that

[lettucegrow!]

This is really scary.Glad they are all ok. Where do you live? Countryside all around or houses and big gardens? Mr.Fox is just getting too brave,isn't he? We are on an estate with gardens all backing on together and I know there are foxes around I 've seen them on the main street going through the bin bags. I wonder how long it takes them to figure out there are chooks in the area.Hope Penny is settled now.

[Snadger]

Bl**dy heck, hat WAS a close shave. Hope Penny recovers OK!

[MaureenHall]

Oh wow!!! BIG BIG HUGS for Penny and for you too. She certainly is the luckiest chook alive to have you there to rescue her, well done.

I'm trembling and shaking at the thought of it, must have been terrifying

[frias]

Really glad you were there to save Penny. It sounds as if you might have the fox actually living in your garden so he would be quite happy to be around when you are too. It really spoils the chooks quality of life if they are never allowed to freerange. I also only let mine out of the enclosed run when I'm about but it's easy to be engrossed in something or turn your head for 5 mins. I worry that the same thing will happen to mine but also know I can't leave them in the run all the time.

[BFG]

Any way to fully enclose the garden? Make it one big secure pen.

And it's the best way to stop burglars getting in too. Secure your boundaries.

[di]

Woah!!!Well Done for saving her...I was all trembly just reading it,so can only start to imagine how you must have felt!

[kirsty b]

Blimey that was close. THats a pretty bold fox you have there, must be well used to people.

[HayleyB]

Echo Snadge, Bl**dy heck..........

I bet you screamed blue murder - well done - seriously scary

[digthatchick]

Update - Penny still not 100% but still eating and drinking, I think she may have twisted her neck but she is in no pain and seems happy enough although still very nervy!
I think the fox was next door and heard them, I have seen the fox at three in the afternoon, strolling across the garden, so it knows there are chooks around.

The garden is surrounded with 6' fencing (easy for a fox to climb), but is quite large, 200' x 55' and the gardens to the rear are bigger so lots of places to hide for them.

I think it's the price we pay to live in rural Worcestershire, lots of foxes.

[Flummery]

Whoo! Horrid! I've been digging in the veg plot today with the chooks out on 'chicken field' - a bit of rough grass fenced off for them to stop them digging up me veg - so easy for that to happen. In my set-up the fox would have to pass me to get to them - it's very worrying though isn't it. I do like them to get out and have a bit of a scratch though. I hope Penny makes a full recovery.

[RedThorn]

BEEP ing BEEP ( fill in the beeps as appropriate!) that is one daring fox and 1 lucky chook! Hope she recovers... I'm not suprised she's skittish. Wonder if she'll start laying golden eggs now?

[Apple Betty]

It must be the time of the year, rural foxes are equally as daring. Over the weekend I've heard of two people who've had hens taken in the early evening (6 o'clock ish) and both from houses surrounded by fields when there's been people and animals around - in both cases they actually saw the fox, just weren't quick enough with the gun!!

[Lemon]

WOW! Scary stuff! good job you screamed! Glad Penny is safe and that she makes a speedy recovery!

[Suechooks]

It must be the time of the year, rural foxes are equally as daring. Over the weekend I've heard of two people who've had hens taken in the early evening (6 o'clock ish)

The vixens have growing cubs now so are needing more and more food hence the extra boldness. I was warned by a farmer that mid-May to mid July are the worst times. I'm paranoid anytime!