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

[catherinej]

Hi everyone.

 

I am new to the forum but have had my girls since 29th January.

 

I decided to visit after my chicken "Henny" was taken by the fox on monday during daylight hours. I was very upset. However, yesterday Mr Fox decided to pay another visit at 2pm and I caught him with my other chicken "Penny" in his mouth. I managed to rescue her but she is in a bad way. Wounded back, bad leg and wing. She isn't eating and is currently in a cardboard box in my back room. She has perked up since the attack yesterday and I'm going to the vet with her tomorrow (fingers crossed she will survive).

 

Anyway, just wanted to say how helpful I have found the forum and how supportive everyone is. Keep your fingers crossed for my Penny!

[Redwing]

Hi Catherine, welcome to the forum, sorry its not under better circumstances

 

Very sorry to hear about poor Penny, I hope everything turns out ok for her

[Larkspurs]

Welcome aboard!

 

I'm so sorry to hear about Henny and hope Penny makes a good recovery. I'm still awaiting my hens and must admit to a certain degree of anxiety after reading some of the stories here, including your own.

 

I wish you all the best and hope you get a replacement for Henny once things settle down for you.

[Gamebird]

Welcome to the forum, Catherine.

 

One of my chickens was taken by a fox who was then chased by my dog. The fox must have dropped the chicken somewhere in our wood. She then managed to find her way home again (it took her an hour and a half ). She now lays the biggest eggs on a daily basis.

 

I will be keeping my fingers crossed for Penny's recovery.

[catherinej]

Thanks

 

To try and put your mind at rest, the fox has been around at night for sometime but the eglu is fox proof so mine have been safe until now. I didn't think foxes were brave enough to come out during the day so mine had free run of the garden during the day. I have been told by someone that foxes have young this time of year which may explain their behaviour, but I don't know how true this is.

 

Up until now I have had no problems at all, however I am not going to let penny roam free again unless I am on the garden aswell. She will not be impressed!

Edited December 28, 2008 by Guest

[sandyhas3chucks]

often it is the shock that gets them, as she has perked up, you are half way there. . please fingers crodssed. once the fox has been he WILL keep coming basck till he has had them all. PLEASE make sure your others are in a fox secure run, or I fear there will be more sad postings. so sorry, fingers crossed for her, keep us posted!

[sandyhas3chucks]

we were typing at the same time. very wise mine are only out when we can supervise. It might be worth getting a fox watch aswell though don't know how effective they are. I don't think they have yopung right now, I thought that was spring toime, but it is very cold & like all wildlife they need extra food to stay warm, but i rather think that even a fattened up fox would still go for kill, it's what they are it's what they do, And whellie bins don't help as there is less food. people all around me put food out for the foxes, so let me be hoping they are too faty & happy!

[catherinej]

Yes, my next door neighbour spotted the fox on her garden at 1.30pm today so looks like a daily visitor. Just hope Penny pulls through - am dreading the vet saying she needs to be put to sleep. .

 

Does anyone know if its wise to get ex bats at this time of year? Was thinking it would be a bit cold for them until their feathers grow back. Also anyone know a supplier?

 

Thanks

[Chook n Boo Mum]

Catherine, I have everything crossed for you and Penny

 

I have so far, been very lucky with regards Messrs Fox, I know they are around because we see them crossing the roads around us, and hear them after dark. I think the 3 labradors who often freerange with the chooks are an excellent deterrent ... not that I suggest you go down that route, a foxwatch gizmo would be much cheaper....and less trouble too !!!

 

I also wondered about getting ex-batts at this time of year....and will soon find out for myself! I've had notification this week that my ex-batts will be ready on 24th January..... I spoke to the lady who I "won" my Eglu from & she had hers arrive just in time for the snow to fall last year - they seemed to be fine, I hope mine will be too

I'm getting mine through the BHWT (http://www.bhwt.org.uk/) I put our name down ages ago, 2-3 months, so there is sometimes a waiting list, depends where you live of course. I could have travelled to other areas to collect some, but felt the journey would be unfair on them, and life was so mad in the lead up to Christmas that I felt it better to wait.

 

Good luck with Penny & RIP little Henny

 

Sha x

[Egluntyne]

Welcome to the forum Catherine. Sorry to hear aboout your girls. Fingers crossed that the vet can help Penny.

[Groovychook]

Hi Catherine, I'm so sorry to hear about Henny -

I'll be keeping everything crossed for Penny

 

Please keep us updated on her progress...

[Happy chickens!]

Sorry to hear about your chickens, but I think you will be fine with ex-bats even at this time of year - I got mine at the beginning of December and the first night in the Eglu was forecast to be -5. With some of them having few feathers I was quite worried, but the rescue hen lady assured me that with plenty of straw, they would be fine in the Eglu - and they were.

 

I've since read on this forum about people leaving the doors open all year round and the chickens being fine.

 

Good luck with your new ladies.

[Olly]

Really sorry to hear about Henny and Penny. Foxes don't have young at this time of year, but unfortunately there is NO time of year that is safer than another; foxes are always hungry, they have an instinct to kill any prey they can find, and if they can get access to your chickens they will. As you have sadly discovered, there is no time of day that is safe, either.

 

A Foxwatch will deter the fox from making regular visits to your garden, but it won't protect your chickens. A secure run, or supervising their free-ranging time, are the only ways to keep them safe.

 

I believe there is a waiting-list for ex-batts, but don't be deterred from getting more chickens. I do hope Penny makes a good recovery, and once she's better she will want some friends. Larkspur, please don't worry, provided you don't underestimate the fox, your chickens will be fine.