CatsCube Posted July 20, 2011 Author Share Posted July 20, 2011 Last night we were foxed. We lost all the chicks that we had moved outside a couple of weeks ago, there is nothing left of them. Im devastated. We have the last batch ready to go outside in a couple of weeks but I really don't know how Im going to protect them, we built a lovely chicken garden and we have no way of protecting it and the chicken house isn't fox proof. I cant believe they have all gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Hi, i am so sorry to hear of this terrible loss. You must be devastated. What a waste of those lovely chicks, i have been following your diary. Did the fox get them at night or during the day? Could you get/borrow an eglu if it is safer? What a horrible thing to happen, sending big hugs, hope you find a solution for your new chicks to be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted July 20, 2011 Author Share Posted July 20, 2011 A neighbour heard it happen it was about 4 this morning. Useless dog didn't even bark to alert us. I could sort out fox proofing the house, I just don't know what to do about day times and if I can still free range them during the day or If Im going to need to build some sort of run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 so sorry x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atsw Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 Really sorry to hear about your tragedy. Try not to beat yourself up about it too much, fox attacks are one of the tougher aspects of chicken keeping that you have to prepare for. I lost my first ever chickens to a fox many years ago, no arrangement is 100% secure. Even those of us with dedicated WIR's and other protection still run a risk every time we let the chooks free range, but my chooks just love to free range, so I consider the risk worth taking. Just one word of warning for the immediate future though, Mr fox now knows where you are and that you have chickens. It's very likely he will be back for another look, so you do need to be extra vigilant in the coming days/weeks. Sorry once again . Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coco Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 So sorry, you must be devastated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmastar Posted July 20, 2011 Share Posted July 20, 2011 HI so sorry to here of your losses , not to sure if it would help but i have a spare if you need it for a bit . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted July 21, 2011 Author Share Posted July 21, 2011 Thanks all, my other half has taken pity on my sobbing and has offered to treat me to a new chicken house of my choice. The hybrids are all fine as they have a walk in run on brickweave with thick weldmesh and a elgu go house, so its finding something large and secure for the pekins. I do like plastic housing and have found this. http://www.durhamhens.co.uk/Durham%20Hen%20House.html Its no thing of beauty but its plastic, looks robust and holds a good number of chickens, plus I like that I can put food and water in there to so they can get access to it before I open it up for them in the morning. I will get it without the run and continue to let the girls free range during the day. I don't think the fox would chance daytime visits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted July 22, 2011 Share Posted July 22, 2011 So sorry x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egglicious Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 I'm really sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted July 23, 2011 Share Posted July 23, 2011 Sorry about your chicks I would get the run too - chicks don't need to fr, put a few branches through the wire for them to sit on and a dust bath and they will be quite happy. If you can't afford the durham house and run as well, why not put the eglu outside and get the run to go with it and put your other coop in the WIR where it's safe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kit Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Oh no, I'm so truly sorry! Hope you start to feel better soon x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 I will get it without the run and continue to let the girls free range during the day. I don't think the fox would chance daytime visits. I think you are taking a big chance there, if I'm honest. He now knows where he can pick up a snack, and he is now much more likely to come back in daylight. I would definitely get the run to contain them at least when you are not around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted July 24, 2011 Share Posted July 24, 2011 Really sorry to hear about your tragedy. Try not to beat yourself up about it too much, fox attacks are one of the tougher aspects of chicken keeping that you have to prepare for. I lost my first ever chickens to a fox many years ago, no arrangement is 100% secure. Even those of us with dedicated WIR's and other protection still run a risk every time we let the chooks free range, but my chooks just love to free range, so I consider the risk worth taking. Just one word of warning for the immediate future though, Mr fox now knows where you are and that you have chickens. It's very likely he will be back for another look, so you do need to be extra vigilant in the coming days/weeks. Sorry once again . Andrew Wise words here, Mr Fox will be back I sure, maybe some sort of nasty surprise is needed for him to scare him off, something that makes a loud noise or even eggs filled with yukky tasting stuff. This may deter a little, but I would be vigilant now. My chooks free range in the garden all day every day it is a risk, but they do enjoy their lives and I would hate to curtail this. I do secure them in their cube run at night. I am very sorry to hear about you loss though and hope you aren't too disheartened. Best of luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatsCube Posted July 26, 2011 Author Share Posted July 26, 2011 Thanks all, thing is I will have about 12 pekin hens, which I don't feel any clip on run size will be big enough for once they mature. The fox I know now came form a local park. I live in a built up residential area, which has no footpath/alleyway access, so a fox would have to venture down the middle of the street or go through about 20 neighbours gardens and cross a couple of roads in broad daylight to get to my chickens. I don't think its that brazen, so will only try night attacks, and the girls will all be shut in at night. Its about another 3 weeks before anymore girls are going outside now so the fox may have stopped checking us out at night as much by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 I'd rather have them in a small-ish run, not too cramped,and free range with supervision. You'd be surprised how brave foxes are. Good luck with 12 Pekins next Spring You'll be over run with broodies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
