4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Battys]

Just had a horrible fright with our girlies. Arrived back home at 3pm, looked out into the garden and saw Lily (off the nest!) flapping her wings madly in the eglu run. Emmy was behind her. Then I saw it - a horrible huge red FOX running up and down and around the run. I frantically unlocked the door and threw myself up the garden screaming like a banshee. The fox didn't budge until I was practically upon him so I chased him behind the shed where he scrambled up the 5ft fence. I checked the poor girlies - Ruby was smartly sheltering in the igloo, the others were trying to get out of the run, with feathers everywhere (came off flapping?)

Elly (10) and I took them indoors shaking (us not the chooks!) then Elly told me I'd frightened her more than the fox by yelling so loudly! Who cares - my girls were safe. They've been in the house pecking about quite happily since. And I'm off for a stiff drink. Still - looks like it might have solved Lily's broodiness!

Lily

Ruby

Emmy

[surferdog]

Thank goodness they were in the run. What a horrible fright for you - better make it a double!

[Egluntyne]

Bloomin' fox.

 

Am glad the girls are alright.

[Cooks]

I'm so glad they were alright,

[superjules]

Scarey stuff!

 

Glad your story has a happy ending, too many people learn the hard way about foxes.

[Gallina]

I don't think feathers come off through flapping....

 

I expect the fox pulled them off. My hens throw themselves at the sides of the run when the fox encircles, and he tries to get them through the bars.

 

Put as many obstacles as you can around the Eglu run. This has worked for me, and I am plagued with foxes.

[kayehope]

wow it srightened me just reading it! hope the girls settled quick and you and your daughter!

[Abbey Road Girl]

What an awful experience! Take a deep breath and remember that all's well that ends well (heard that someplace ).

 

Really, so glad that Mr Fox had to scarper away. Well done!

[Battys]

Thank you everyone's been very kind. Stiff drink (s) did the trick. Chooks all closed up for the night early. Am now completely paranoid but will take advice and put obstacles around the run tomorrow. Elly still shocked I can shout so loudly (she should know!)

[MedusA]

What a shocker!

 

Glad your girls are OK though. Keep a close eye on them whenever they are free-ranging though. Mr. Fox will be back nowhe knows there are hens around.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Gosh, how horrible . I'm so glad they're all alright .

[Olly]

What a nasty shock. I really recommend getting a Foxwatch. It will deter him from hanging around the Eglu and using your garden as part of his usual route. Not an absolute guarantee, but definitely since I got mine I have not seen the fox in the garden, whereas before he was a regular visitor.

[Fur 'n' Feathers]

Glad your girls are alright. What a horrible experience. It shows how persistent foxes can be that it didn't bolt till you were so near to it.

[Cate in NZ]

Wow, sounds like that gave you all a fright

 

I can only echo the comments already made, now the fox has found you and your chickens he's likely to be a regular and persistent visitor , so you will need to be vigilant about watching your girls and keeping them secure.

[TAJ]

Gallina said, 'I don't think feathers come off through flapping.... '

 

I have actually see this happen when they get scared - our evil cat jumped on the corner of the run when we forst had them - the chickens were a good foot away from him, safe inside, but started flapping and running around the run - with feathers flying everywhere.

 

An awful shock for you I can imagine.

 

Tracy

[*mummy_hen*]

I bet that must have given you such a fright - i'm pleased your girls are ok though.

Just goes to show, it isn't worth taking any risks with foxes around.

[Gamebird]

It really is a stomach churning experience when you see a fox near your chickens.

 

I watched in horror as a fox took one of my chickens while they were free-ranging. Miraculously it had a happy ending - the chicken came back an hour and a half later and wandered into the kitchen none the worse for her adventure.

 

Now that he knows where the chickens are he will be back. As long as he can't get near the run the chickens will be safe. I have an area of my run that is compeletely covered so that when the fox does appear the chickens can take shelter. Unfortunately, they don't seem to have the common sense to actually go into their house.

[Seagazer]

Oh how scarey - I'm glad it turned out ok in the end.

[muzzie]

Wow how frightening it's amazing that they don't hide.

My firls were out freeranging last week when we actually had a nice sunny day I was sitting on the steps of the deck watching them, one at my feet, two down the hill ripping up the moss and Henrietta weeding or debuging my daylilies. One of the baby fox crept across the driveway right up to the fence where Henrietta was pecking. I was watching when she saw the fox she stood up straight head and neck above the lily leaves and sqwaked almost sounded like a rooster crow but didn't move if the fence were not there she would have been eaten. She didn't move until I stood up and called her then she walked over to me as if nothing happened. Can they actually be that stupid to just freeze in place. The little fox ran off.

[MedusA]

Can they actually be that stupid to just freeze in place. The little fox ran off.

 

I'm afraid that most of them can be just that supid. Unfortunately most chooks' first experience of a fox, is also their last!