Ms Tilytinkle Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Good Morning All, This may sound rather indecisive, thinks its perhaps more just sharing my fears & wobbly thoughts . .but after thoroughly enjoying watching the chickens free range daily for the last week, last night I was woken by the most godforsaken sound ever heard! Some fox somewhere very close, screeching so loudly to either his mate or her mate. There it seemed, was only one fox screeching. But it sent shivers down my spine. I lay awake thinking about the chooks & was thankful we have a little routine going, yes it had been my turn they were safely in their cube, door closed but maybe still startled by the noise. Eventually after thanking all & every God possible that the fox hadn't been close/heard during the day as when the snow stopped & sun came out, the girlies were foraging happily in the bit sunshine we had. ... whilst we were too chilly & sat indoors around the fire. The scenarios that went through my mind, i mean every few minutes i couldn't help but look out the window admiring them, laughing at their antics . .but a moment could've changed everything. Today its blue skies, they'd probably love to be out already. Yet my concerns are now not hoping that we don't have a fox, its now knowing there is one somewhere so how do i lose the fear of something happening to them & letting them happily free range. The love to come out & we love them foraging about. .. but their safety is paramount to all happiness & well being. I am unsure what the foxes habits are, i've never seen him/her during the day i think sadly, we will maybe have to only let them free range for an hour or so whilst we're in garden . . or just hope that they'll be okay & its a risk every chicken keeper takes when the chickens have daily freedom to roam in the fields & barns. I often work from home, but being close inside isn't really going to help. Oh dear, dilemmas !!! Ms Tilygoneforbreakfastbeforeworkbeforedecidingwhetherchooksfreerangeornot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Ms Tilyquiterightobeworried, It's a tough one - free-ranging is lovely, but how would you feel if the worst happened? Don't be conned by the fact that you have never seen the fox in daytime, this may simply be because he had no reason to visit your garden before. He will know there are chickens there, and be looking out for any opportunity. On the other hand, s/he may have been some distance away when you heard the howling - if you are in a rural area, maybe they don't come very near houses, and you might never see him in daylight. Lots of people on here let their chickens free-range all day and it's fine. I don't, because of a couple of near misses, luckily I was close enough to shout and throw things, but the fox had a definite look of 'am I bothered, though?' as he turned and strolled away. If you're in the house, and look out and see the fox in the garden, it is likely to be too late by the time you get out there. It is lovely to let your girls free-range, they so enjoy pottering around in freedom - only you can decide what the risk is. Depends a lot on where you live (urban or country). Sorry, not much help there but I'd say you are right to be concerned. This time of year is particularly dangerous because they are likely to have young to feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 It is a risk we all take Ms Tily. Most of us have been lucky and that is what it boils down to. The argument could be, many months of free ranging against a lifetime of run confinement? I do let mine out to free range in 'their' garden most days when I am off (work part time). Touch wood, they are safe so far. I would be devastated if anything happened to them whilst they were out. We are very rural here and if I still lived in a town, there is no way they would out all day. When I work, they are confined to the run (2 in one eglu and run and 3 in the other eglu + run + convertor). They do get used to being in the run. Foxes screaming is a bone chilling sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Hi Tilyknickers We took the decision not to let ours free range 9for the most part,anyhow) & built them a nice big walk in run instead. The garden keeps cleaner,my veggies actually get a chance to grow & I always know where my hens are (unless Lily escapes,which she is pretty adept at ) I guess you just have to do what is right for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Understand your fears MsT. We live in a rural area. 1 garden away are fields which foxes are occasionally seen in. There are 18 houses in our little bit and as far as I know the foxes have never come down into the gardens, especially not during the day. I choose to let the chooks out when I am home but I don't stay out with them and I don't constantly watch them. Thats our choice, they do have a big run of there own, but they have a great time moving from front to back gardens leaving chaos in their wake If I lost them to a fox I would be devastated, and if I'm honest if I lived in an urban area I would be more restrictive with their free-ranging as I think urban foxes have no fear Good luck with your decision Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 You are right to be worried MsT Here is a pic of one of my close calls. I only let them free range now I am at home....I work very part time and can do a lot from home so they usually get about 4 hours a day. That is why I extended their runs, to give them a bit of walking space. It is a difficult dilemma, and what is the right solution for one is wrong for another. Do whatever feels right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My goodness Egluntine - you could have warned us! That pic took my breath away and I'm all jittery now. What a shocking scene! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NClaire Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 This time of year is the most risky I think as they have cubs and food is scarce, so they will take more risks. You could get a Foxwatch device, but it isn't foolproof (and some people say it has no effect anyway - differing opinions on that). The decision you have to make is whether it is an acceptable risk or not. I read somewhere that you have to be 'lucky' every time, the fox only has to be lucky once. There are other predators as well - cats, mink etc , but the fox is the most likely to attack the chickens. We are in a very urban area which is FAMOUS for its foxes(!) - I saw 3 in our garden the other afternoon. They know they can't get the chickens as they are in a run, and they don't bother them - the trot through, looking innocent, the chickens don't seem to mind now as they know they are safe. But I have no doubt whatsoever that the foxes are just checking, just in case they can get some dinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 (edited) Morning all, Its so lovely having a network of caring support, usually major decisions are made without hesitation, gut instinct no dithering etc . .yet here we are making decisions about my chickens & i am one way then another With my teenage daughter, its trust ya gut instinct, you'll be fine, trust, trust, trust, all will be okay, process of life & all experiences . .. choices darling, most important blah blah blah . .choice the most important thing we have in life .. . . huh yet chickens . ..my choice equals their fate or is it destiny . My preferences or their safety ! Egluntine - my spine has been in constant shivers since your photograph, oooh goodness that is haunting the very essence of my being. Thank you All for soothing - sharing my fears & worries, I am sure hubby thinks I have become insane - worrying about whether or not to let them free range... but you guys know i'm normal I think hubby may have to create more than just some velcro ties . .. . so thats design very large walk in run first . .buy wire & wood . . build structure, then add chicken wire . .. then . ... then . . . Ms TilyshowingCinnamonthey'renotatalltwistedteeeheeebutthermal:) Edited March 25, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 My goodness Egluntine - you could have warned us! That pic took my breath away and I'm all jittery now. What a shocking scene! Egluntine - my spine has been in constant shivers since your photograph, oooh goodness that is haunting the very essence of my being. Sorry Jules and Tily ......Him Indoors took the pic whilst I went out in my polka dot piggyjimjams screaming obscenities and hurling objects for all I was worth! I actually scored a direct hit! He was a big beggar! I have to say that since I replaced the batteries in my Foxwatch we haven't seen him again. This is the worst time of year for fox attacks as the cubs are born around now and the vixens are starving...which makes them bolder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 How horribly scary! We lost one of our girls last autumn, Ms Tilynaturallyterrifiedaswereweallbyegluntinespic. It really does only take a minute. I popped into the kitchen to check on a saucepan on the stove and that was it. My other girl survived being attacked too, fortunately. I have never let them out without being there, since then. Please don't take the risk if you know there are foxes around. *shudder* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Ms Tilynaturallyterrifiedaswereweallbyegluntinespic. That's an honour ...having my forum name incorporated into one of MsTily's pseudonyms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky1 Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Well, after all that worrying, whilst i was working hubby came home & saw chooks still in run, he did nothing more than go around open their little door & left them to free range . they were actually queueing up as they saw him walking towards them . . & he doesnt even usually let them out to free range . .i was helplessly supposedly working, my head craned around watching what he was doing .. by the time i banged on the window they'd made a great escape & were foraging happily. So that kinda made the decision for me. I stayed out with them for little while, then hubby stayed outside for while .. then they free ranged alone for the remaining afternoon. It was scary but they loved it & had a great time exploring. Think will just have to take every day as it comes & do as i feel on that day Thanks for all your kindness Ms Tilygratefulallchooksonroutenowtobedsafe&sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 What a fantastic photo Egluntine - does it look like it's smiling? Probably found out it couldn't get in after you took the shot! We have had a fox in the garden a couple of years ago - left footprints in the newly raked veggie patch. Have seen one a few times around the area and always very late at night (or picking son up from leaver's ball after party and then it was almost dawn). Bearing that in mind, my girls will have a permanent winter patch, but will be moved around the bottom lawn and only be allowed to free range when I am at home. I don't want to see any carnage other than the local sparrowhawks munching wood pigeons (and for that they have my blessing - pesky pigeons). Regards, Kerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...