Ammonia smell in coop-first time owner

[chrisnrob]

Oh no! So sorry to hear about this Anne, especially after we were talking about them on Saturday

 

I've sent you a PM with details of the vet that I mentioned on Saturday if Saffy doesn't get any better and you want to take her somewhere with experience of chickens.

 

*hugs*

 

Rob

[Olly]

Oh how awful - so sorry to hear this. I know how bold foxes can be, but even so you wouldn't think it would have come so close when you were within sight and hearing.

 

My view normally is that shooting them isn't worth it - another one will come along - but in this case I'm inclined to agree with the posts above, this one is determined and fearless and he knows where to come.

 

I don't think you need permission as such, provided the farmer friend is licensed to use a shotgun - obviously common-sense must prevail about safety but if it's within your garden it should be ok. He will know. It sounds as if the fox should be an easy target anyway.

 

So, so sorry and hope Saffy is recovering.

[MedusA]

Anne, I am so sorry to hear what has happened. Fingers crossed that Saffey is just a bit shocked and pulls through. Has she definitely not got any bite marks? If she has, a trip to the vet may be needed for antibiotics. As to the other girls, at least they've had some time with you being "proper" chickens.

 

I lost my beloved Mulder to fox last Autumn and I know how devastating it is. Despite my new walk-in run, we still have a fox hanging around and making attempts to get in. Hopefully we're fox-proof but you never know. That said, I couldn't kill one, but you must do what you feel is right.

[dogs and chickens]

Hi There,

 

How awful for you . I can only imagine how your feeling. My chickens have not arrived yet, but I think I would be devastated.

 

How is Saffy doing today?

 

My OH says that you should be able to kill a fox in your garden, so long as the people doing so have a licence. He also got all excited as he thought I was telling him he could go out and shoot one !

 

Keep us posted on Saffy

 

Michelle x

[missuscluck]

How terrible.

Foxes are awfull. Our chickens are in fort knox when we are out, as our neighbours keep ferretts and they can smell the chickens and kept escaping from their run to get to them. Fortunatley they have also improved their run security, so we have been ok. We also have foxes about at night.

 

I hope your poorly hen pulls though.

 

Sending good wishesx

[Tiggy]

thanks Rob & Chris I've contacted the vet & will see if I can bunk off work a little early tomorrow - will have to bring the chicken to work in the cat carrier & go straight there, that should cause a stir.

[Tiggy]

thankyou everyone for your kind wishes & advice, saffy was still with us this morning but is unable to stand on her left leg, she seems to move it OK & was eating & drinking when I left for work. I work full time & will have to bring her with me tomorrow to get to the vet in time I will keep her in my cat carrier in my consulting room, that should raise a few eye brows but i dont care

[smudgley]

Anne, I'm really sorry to hear about your hens... foxes are so cheeky.

 

Rob - PM me the vet who knows about chickens please, I would be interested to know of a good vet...(got a feeling I may know who it is, but I'm guessing)

[little chickadee]

Hope she pulls through. So sorry to hear about your other hens

[chickenlass]

just wondering how Saffy is today?

[smudgley]

morning Anne, How is she today?

 

We had a fox in our garden a lot last year, my Dad wanted to shoot it & he has a gun & a license but couldn't do it as it's a residential area. I think you may have the same problem where you are Anne, did you ask the farmers advise?

[Tiggy]

saffy seems OK eating & drinking, but is still lame, she is letting her left wing hang oddly too although she seems to be able to move it. working full time makes it difficult to do anything else. I cannot get out of work today & get to the vet before they close at 6.30, but I have an early finish tomorrow so will do it then. I'm suprised Saffy survived I really thought that she would die from the shock.

 

the farmer is a friend of my dads so I will pop into his local tomorrow on the way back from the vet & see if he is there. (he usually is - the old boys all have lunch together - any exuse)

 

My 2 cats are really bemused - seeing Saffy in their cat carrier in our hallway.

[Cazz]

if you cant shoot the fox, i was told by my uncle you should build an 8 foot tunnel with a one way door and put a cooked chicken in to attract the fox and then give it to fox hunters. but well its abit difficult with it being banned, and a little cruel- i dont like foxes but my conscience is too big.

 

sorry to hear about your chickens, the fox last year got 18 of my friends chickens, it would be understandable if they took a few and ate them, but the majority were just left in the allotment.

[Eyren]

it would be understandable if they took a few and ate them, but the majority were just left in the allotment.

 

Not that it's any consolation, nor am I anything but sympathetic to those who have lost pets to a sudden brutal attack, but...

 

Foxes are totally ruled by their instincts when it comes to hunting, and their killing instinct is triggered by the close proximity of a prey animal. This is because in the wild, they need to catch and kill quickly - usually they can only catch one bird/rabbit before the rest of the flock/group runs away. In a run or enclosed garden, the chickens can't get away so the fox just kills and kills until there are no prey left within reach - it simply can't help itself - then it takes one and leaves, as if it had been a normal hunt in the wild.

 

For all their supposed cunning, they are rather dim beasts in some respects...

[lozkate]

Its truly a sad end. And mass killing is absolutely typical of the nature of the beast! I think we all are 'expecting' a visit! For that reason I've tried not to get too attached to them - looking at it rather like losing cabbages to the slug or all my peas to the pigeons. It really isn't that simple and the rest of the family have not managed this mental technique.

 

What's really frustrating is that the fox is just demonstrating its normal behaviour which is something I guess we all cherish for our chooks. The trouble is...

 

Its is widely accepted that the fox population is increasing. They have no recognised threats (assessed 2006) and that includes humans.

 

Since they are territorial, it follows that as the population increases they will move closer and closer to human population in greater numbers and sources of food will be paramount to them.

 

In 2005 it was estimated that there were around a quarter of a million foxes in the UK. It may not sound a lot but it is quite high for a top preditor in virtually 100% managed land.

 

The hunting ban has merely eliminated one (low volume) method of control. Fox control by shooting is still undertaken particularly by those who make a living from things the fox population threatens. According to research apparently unsuccessfully too!

 

It seems we'll be seeing quite a bit more of Mr F and there's nothing we can do about it - lifting 'the ban' would probably do nothing as populations were rising anyway.

 

There's some interesting stuff on the web. I can also remeber reading a library book entitled 'The Urban Fox'.

 

I hope it went well with the vet Anne and that it doesn't put you off getting some more hens.

[smudgley]

Any news today Anne?

[Tiggy]

Morning, Saffy is a bit battered & bruised has a sprained wing & hip but otherwise OK, I put her back in the eglu last night & she settled down in the nesting box. the vet prescibed som anti inflammatory drops to put into her water. It may take a few weeks for her to recover & as I'm having an op on my ankle tomorrow we can recover together. Now it seems she will be OK I will get some more ex battts to keep her company once she is more mobile & able to defend herself. What a survivor she is, will need some TLC but is a very special girl

[Jules.]

Sending hugs to you & Saffy.

[smudgley]

glad shes doing ok Anne.

 

good luck with your operation

[Guest]

Well done Saffy. I'm so pleased for you. I hope your op goes well.

[Daywalker]

Go Saffy Go Saffy Go Saffy

[chrisnrob]

Awww, I'm glad she's on the mend Anne. At least you will be able to share recovery with her after your operation

 

Rob