Laying again! Yay

[kirsty b]

My hen run has been the victim of mr fox again, he pushed the new wiring down and made off with my araucana and the new banties (collectively known as the poofs by my OH cos of their feathering)
I'm p****d off, especially as I saw one on Sat night and chased him off, he just came back on Sun.
Getting me an air rifle on payday.

BUT now the GOOD news
the two girls I had nursed back to health and who put themselves to bed early every night since the first visit from the orange menace survived again untouched, not seemingly bothered!
They have not laid for nearly four/five? weeks as they moulted after fox #1. went down to shut them in for the night and found 2 lovely little eggs!
So pleased that my old girls are back to full health. Its really made my day

I'm upset that the new girls got taken, but if those two had been victims, I would have been inconsolable.

[TPeers]

Get some electric fencing - it can be powered off a car battery assuming you don't have power at the plot - so few do!

Shame about the new girls - I thought you had it all safe, so did you I suppose

Is there no way you can have the run at home?

[kirsty b]

Garden too small and have got dogs, cats.

Am going to invest in a roll of copper wire and a car battery as well as the gun. Steve will know the best way to set it up.

Not buying any more hens now until I'm sure its safe, even though I thought I had cracked it.

[TPeers]

I really feel for you - you have had a rotten run of bad luck. Unfortunately Mr Fox will keep coming back unless you can shock him enough to scare him off permanently. Are you allowed to shoot foxes? I thought one needed a licence?

[kirsty b]

Foxes are classed as vermin and not just by me! and if I remember right, you don't need a licence to shoot vermin.
Going to double check though.