Survived fox attack, but not unscathed...

[Eco-Chic]

Heard loud clucking about 3 hours ago and found Maude at gate. Went to see why she was out and found run door open & feathers all over the coop.

Maude went and hid in undergrowth in the meantime but I eventually found her and scooped her up and took her indoors. She seemed uninjured apart from a couple of blood spots where some of her feathers had been pulled out. I spent another 20 minutes or so cuddling her then popped her into the cat carry basket.

Going downstairs, I heard more clucking. I could hardly believe it, Madge demanding attention at the back gate. Scooped her up and sat on my bed examining her but haven't found any injuries although she's wheezing a bit, so I guess she's shocked. I sat with her in my arms trying to figure out where to keep her and figured the shower would be good, so popped her in there.

Ok, this is getting repetitive, but I was still upstairs and again, heard clucking from outside. Myrtle demanding admittance. I simply couldn't believe my/our luck. Back on the bed I can see she's not in such good shape as the other two. Three bite wounds on her back, split the skin exposing the flesh, but not bitten into the flesh. I've treated the wounds with G.Violet and hope that will prevent the other two from picking at her, although I think they're all too shocked. They're all huddled up together in the shower and quiet now.

I'll take Myrtle to the vet in the morning. I'm hoping he'll give me antibiotics and she won't have to be PTS.

Finally, I think they've got scaley leg, but that's the least of their problems right now.

I shall be back later to update and get advice on electric fencing and auto popholes.

[broadway]

Sorry to hear that EC,

Hope they are ok.


Danny

[MaureenHall]

I'm sorry to hear that Mr Fox paid you a visit, but I'm so pleased he didn't manage to get away with any of your girls. Fantastic that you woke up to rescue them!!! Well done you. Fingers crossed for Myrtle xxxx

[Nicos]

Gosh- it's a good job the gals woke you- a few minutes later and they'd probably all been gonners

3 chooks on a bed, and then in the shower???..they'll be wanting to move in with you after that luxury!

All the best at the vets x

[Eco-Chic]

It was kinda surreal Nicos, cat curled up on the bed watching on as I examined and cuddled each chook in turn.

I don't think they like their reflections in the glass of the shower cubicle because they're all facing the tiles with their heads pushed against the tiles.

I'm going to pop them into the dog crate which I'll put in my bedroom as it won't be as warm as in the bathroom and I can take a shower & try and scrub off some of the GV.

[kirsty b]

How lucky you heard them and were able to bring them indoors. Its a shame that one was injured, but it could have been so much worse.
Lots of TLC and they should recover from the shock, fingers crossed Myrtle only needs anti-b's and recovers well. xx

[mr darcy]

oh no! poor you, poor girls! are you sure it was a fox? they were reallly lucky if so! big cuddles to myrtle, get well soon xxx

[Glutton4...]

Aaaw poor little girls, so lucky you were in! Best wishes to the trio.

[Eco-Chic]

Just after my last post I went to move the girls from the shower to the dog crate and found that Madge had laid an egg.

While I was moving them I found wounds on Maude and Madge that I hadn't seen earlier so popped all of them into a crate and drove at about 10mph so as not to upset them.

Vet gave them all an antibiotic jab and kept saying how lucky they were. He reckons that they'll be right as rain "as chickens heal quickly". I do hope so. If the wounds look mucky I'm to bathe them with salty water. Got some eye ointment for Myrtle too, if the antibiotic doesn't make it right.

They're back in the dog crate in my bedroom and if, as so many say on here, their voracious appetite is a good sign, then all will be well.

I'm going to grab a couple of hours siesta then go check over the coop and run and clear all the feathers out and make sure it is secure.

I'll make sure the dogs can get into the garden once the chooks are secured tonight.

ps the vet nurse almost got a thump on the nose. Stupid bint suggested I should feed the fox a little away from the chooks as it must be starving!

[Flummery]

There is actually a school of thought that foxes come into gardens because they can't get enough food. I also know (through the internet) of chicken keepers who do this - feed foxes at set stations away from their own fields. They say it works. I wouldn't thump the vet nurse - maybe she knows something we dont.

[MaureenHall]

After seeing and experiencing the devastation a fox can cause, I'd certainly thump anyone who suggested that I feed them. I'm afraid the only thing I'd feed them with is a lead pellet (well I'd get my friend to do that bit)

[pipscariad]

What an incredible tale - so glad it has a good ending, I do hope all your girls make a good recovery, they've had a lucky escape, poor things.

[MrsC]

Glad everything is ok!!!! Lucky girls and a loving owner! x

[its hilly]

Wow EC..what a story of luck. Keeping fingers crossed for your girls.

[Eco-Chic]

I have to go to bed...I'm worn to a frazzle running up and downstairs feeding them treats. Them ain't chooks, them's gannets

They're spending the night in my bedroom else I won't get a wink of sleep imagining every sound is them being murdered. The dog crate is mahoosive, much bigger than their coop, so they aren't cramped.

Tomorrow I'll let them range while I put right the coop but I think I'll confine them to their coop and run until me blood pressure goes back to normal and I can get something to stun the fox if s/he returns.

Thanks for your kind messages. They do help.

I'll let you know if chooks snore and fart during the night