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Julianna

Fox interception.....

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We have just intercepted a fox running off with Angelina in its mouth. It was about 9.30am, and they were within the fenced area of the garden (not electrified). Angelina seems absolutely fine and immediately went back to scratching about, but now we're really worried about letting them out at all. They love being out so we don't want to restrict them , but equally couldn't bear it if they died and we could have done something to prevent it. What a dilemma..... :(

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TBH now the fox knows they're there, he will be back again. I'm sorry to say that unless you're outside with them, they'll need to be confined in a fox-proof run for their own safety.

 

I read in a book that you (and therefore yor chickens) have to be lucky every day or night, whereas the fox only needs to be lucky once. :(

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I agree that now the fox knows they are there-it will be back.

Some people have the opinion-'better a short happy life than a long miserable one.' and make the choice to still let their hens free range all day.

 

I have my own way of looking at things and choose to let my hens have a 'long, happy life' so I make sure that they are protected and safe.

 

No idea why people think you have to choose between short and happy or long and miserable. Surely long and happy is an option?? :lol:

 

:D

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Some good points above. We started leaving our gals in the cube run, for most of the morning, when they started laying out and after one got killed on the road. :(

 

Its true that they squawk and whine to be let out, but then when they are let out some of them stay in the run in any case, the rest squawk and whine for a treat or whatever they think they can get.

 

I just think it is in their nature. The ducks seem to take what's given without a word.

 

Now I love to see them FR but I think they still have a good and happy life if they are confined to the run. Anything has to be better than being kept as a battery hen.

 

Just my 2 cents but don't do the guilt trip. Safe is best.

 

Let's face it that every chicken we keep is one less battery hen :clap:

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Electric fencing would me the option I would go for in your situation. I would cave with those eyes looking at me begging to be let to free range :roll::lol: . HENthusiastic has a very large enclosure of her field electric fenced now as some of her girls were taken by foxes, they are all very happy playing in there now, and only get taken if they are daft enough to go outside it and trot off round the field. Only happened to a leghorn so far I think, who are very flighty.

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