oeufingabout Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 All My hens were taken last night from their open hen house. All that remains is a pile of feathers. They free range during the day but yesterday we were late getting back from Xmas vistis and by 8 pm they were gone! I have never seen a fox and the hens are in a secluded walled garden. Other than a pile of Mrs. Egg's feathers there was no blood and gore!! I thought foxes were messy killers? Has anyone got any advice on best way to get over this? I am tempted to just go out and get more hens but I am not sure I could go through this again. I have been crying all morning. I will miss my girls and their funny ways!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 What a shame. I'd get some more as soon as you feel able, but the fox will be back now that he knows there is a tasty treat to be had, so I would advise beefing up your security. A walled garden sounds ideal, but the fox won't find that a barrier I'm afraid. Best to secure your new girls in the run when you go out. A rotten note to add to your Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 What a shame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen & co. Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 How dreadful for you Karen x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catherinej Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Hi, I am new to this so please forgive me it I make a mistake. I am so sorry for you loss. I am in a similar situation as one of my chickens "Henny" was taken by the local fox on Monday at 2pm. I couldn't believe it, I was so upset. Today, however, i just happened to look on the garden at around the same time to see Mr Fox with my other chicken "Penny" in his mouth. I ran as fast as could up the garden and he did drop her and ran off. Penny has an injured leg and a wound on her back. We have cleaned the would and she is in the house now but not sure what else to do for her. Didn't know if a vet would see a chicken? If anyone got any advice I would be very appreciative. I didn't think foxes were brave enough to come out during daylight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAZAROO Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 All My hens were taken last night from their open hen house. All that remains is a pile of feathers. They free range during the day but yesterday we were late getting back from Xmas vistis and by 8 pm they were gone! I have never seen a fox and the hens are in a secluded walled garden. Other than a pile of Mrs. Egg's feathers there was no blood and gore!! I thought foxes were messy killers? Has anyone got any advice on best way to get over this? I am tempted to just go out and get more hens but I am not sure I could go through this again. I have been crying all morning. I will miss my girls and their funny ways!!! This happens to the best of us. My personal therapy when we lost the hens was to get more; you will know when your ready So sorry for your lost.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Hi, I am new to this so please forgive me it I make a mistake. I am so sorry for you loss. I am in a similar situation as one of my chickens "Henny" was taken by the local fox on Monday at 2pm. I couldn't believe it, I was so upset. Today, however, i just happened to look on the garden at around the same time to see Mr Fox with my other chicken "Penny" in his mouth. I ran as fast as could up the garden and he did drop her and ran off. Penny has an injured leg and a wound on her back. We have cleaned the would and she is in the house now but not sure what else to do for her. Didn't know if a vet would see a chicken? If anyone got any advice I would be very appreciative. I didn't think foxes were brave enough to come out during daylight! Hi Catherine, There are vets that help chickens if you look on the omlet website there is a list of chicken friendly vets. Poor you. If you go to search you will find lots of threads on what to do if chicken is injured. Basically it seems keep them quiet and warm and give drinks and some kind of homeopathy. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Oh how absolutely horrible! So sorry to hear this news. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendy Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 So sorry to hear that. No advice, but hope you feel able to get more chickens soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 I'm so sorry to hear that - how awful . I hope you feel able to get some new girls soon. Catherine, I'm so sorry to hear about your girls too . I hope you manage to find some useful advice in the "clinic" section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickvic Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 How awful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 So sorry to hear about that oeufing about, how tragic, especially at christmas. I let my girls free range and I'd feel awful to shut them in, perhaps if you feel up to getting some more girls you could try an electric fence to keep them within. This seems to work well well for others who have suffered attacks. So sorry to hear about your girls to catherine, hope penny is doing better today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oeufingabout Posted December 28, 2008 Author Share Posted December 28, 2008 Catherine, I am as suprised as you to discover your Fox at 2 pm. A large gun would do the trick. I have previously never understood why people have been so down on Foxes until now. My neighbours told me last night that the foxes here have killed large cats tooin our area. We are going to try the electric fence option I think the only thing is we have two young toddlers although I am sure they learn not to touch in time. It is so harrowing to loose hens I suppose it is nature but does not make it any easier does it? What will you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chook n Boo Mum Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 A friend of ours had a fox-visitation in daylight hours too & one of her bantams was taken, luckily all the others got away! Rotten beasts, beautiful but rotten, especially when you have to explain to a small person that a chook has been taken......I dread our first visit, hopefully my 3 hairy monsters will serve as an ongoing effective deterrent All you poor chook-mums who have lost their feathered babies are very much in my thoughts {{{hugs}}} to you all. Sha x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catherinej Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Not sure what to do yet. I'm not giving up on my chicks so will have to think of a solution. My husband thinks we should make a big run for them as we have a large garden, although I really like to see them roaming free and I know how much they enjoy having the run of the whole garden. Electric fence sounds good but I too have 2 small children (5 and 3) and would need alot of fencing - not sure I can afford the electricity either. I am going to get my husband to urinate around the boarder of the garden as this is ment to stop foxes (hope we don't upset the neighbours!). We do know where the fox came onto the garden (under the shed) and we have now secured this now but I am really don't want to put my chicks at risk again. Its such a shame for things to come to this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlo Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 So sorry to hear about this. From what I have read on here and others' experience, foxes in daylight are very common - sadly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moomin Posted December 29, 2008 Share Posted December 29, 2008 We have ours in a big walk in run, foxproof (hopefully) and they seem very happy. They love coming out but I only let them out if I can be with them in the garden or at least watch them like a hawk from the window. So they are out 3 days a week in the Winter for as long as I can stand the cold, lots more in the summer but at least they are safe. Your chickens will get used to being in the run, they are creatures of habit Sorry for your loss X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty Posted December 30, 2008 Share Posted December 30, 2008 Sorry to hear about this loss. My friend had a goose kept in a semi surburban back garden, all fenced in with good 2 metre high fencing all round, she free ranged Lucy but got home one night at dusk after work and the local fox had been, After seeing the damage that killed the bird and the distraught caused foxes are not welcome. I hope the smell of our dogs, urine on the borders and vigilance will out fox them here. Don't let it get you down and order some more chooks, if you don't you'll be buying supermarket eggs and putting the girls in supermarket crates through pain to produce them. Rusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyber Chook Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 I'm so sorry, what sad times for you. I haven't got one myself, but a lot of people here use and recommend a Foxwatch; I'm not sure from what you've said if you have one or know about them? Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
