jlo Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 So sorry to hear about your awful experience. The fox got one of my girls last week whilst they were out free ranging. The irony was that, having had a dog for four weeks, I thought that they would be safer from foxes but that wasn't the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 So sorry for your loss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 What an awful thing to happen when you tried so hard - really sorry x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexhen Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Sorry to hear of your loss, it sounds like you had done everything to make the run well defended. I lost two of my three in the last couple of weeks when they were free ranging during the day to a fox, he went for the neighbours little cat a few days ago as well, luckily she managed to get away as he's a big old fox. My other half saw/heard two animals trying to get into our run last night and chased them off but I think they are going to keep coming back, so will be closing the cube door at night. I've also ordered electric fencing as the fox has put an end to free ranging. In the meantime I'm off to check for signs of digging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Oh Mark, I am so sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MummyHen Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Oh my - this is awful for you There are many of us with similar setup to yours who will now be looking at possible weak points - although you had done everything to ensure the safety of your flock it goes to show that there are some very determined foxes around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daxigirl Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 You poor darlings, that's just awful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 really sorry to hear it. by the sounds of it you'd done everything possible short of sitting there with a gun. sadly, foxes are persistent evil little things. RIP girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimmyCustard Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 So sorry to hear about your girls, I have a WIR with a cube and electric fencing, slabs cemented down all the way round with the wire cemented in under the slabs, I couldnt bear a fox getting in to them. I never leave them alone to FR either, if I'm not in the garden to guard them, they stay in the WIR! I saw a fox asleep under a tree in our garden (before chooks) so I know theyre around........... Hugs to you and your family. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayemerton Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 What an awful thing to happen, cant quite believe how hard you must have made it for that fox to get in and yet it still managed. We havent got chickens yet although we had 3 as a child in Italy in a walk in run and they were all killed by a fox and left in there for us to find, but it is certainly making me wonder whether and Eglu and run is enough?! Best wishes to you and your daughter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiks Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I'm so sorry, it's the time of year when foxes have cubs so we all need to be extra vigilant. I have 2 dogs but that didn't stop a fox trying to get at my girls in broad daylight with people around. However as others have said that was one determined fox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 So sorry to hear about your loss x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzannejoy Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 So sorry for you, such an awful thing to happen. My hens free-range in my garden during the day but I'm hoping that the smell of my dogs would put a fox off from coming in.......guess you can never tell though. Ive got 3 dogs and though the foxs dont come in the day Im constantly being woken up by my dogs barking in the night . I see foxs out there most nights . frightening , I often creep down slowly open the back door and get the dogs to chase it off . Just to keep the fox on its toes . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
migsy Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Really sorry that you have had this dreadful experience. There seems to have been a lot of fox attacks for us lately It is a very disturbing event. I'm sure they must have had a great life with you. Hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JillM Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I am so sorry, that was such an awful thing for you to discover. And after all the work you had put in to making your girls as safe as you could, too! I'm thinking of digging trenches around my run and filling it with prunings from all the spiky bushes, and roses before filling it in again and slabbing on top. Then any digging a fox tries to do will end up with severly sore paws! Any other ideas to keep the foxes away? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I am so sorry for you, what a terrible thing to happen. I can reiterate what others have said in that you did all you could and more but these foxes are so determined these days. Sending hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 So sorry, shattering when you have done so much to protect them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 (edited) I'm so sorry to hear this. What a persistent fox. Poor you. We have had a fox attack , which fortunately only took one of my girls, but it's still horrible to have to deal with. Whilst looking on the Forsham site for housing I noticed this.I don't have any personal experience, but after your experiences I'm quite tempted to give it a go. Edited May 24, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meezers Posted May 24, 2011 Share Posted May 24, 2011 So sorry, you tried so hard to keep him out as well. My run floor isn't slabbed or wired , but it is raised 18 inches above ground with concrete retaining wall on top of a concrete path on two sides, so no way a fox could dig in there, the other two sides are surrounded by a wooden fence and I've sunk wire mesh into the ground on the run side. I'm pretty confident nothing could dig through, but I hope it's never put to the test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tricky Posted May 25, 2011 Share Posted May 25, 2011 very sad. Could this have been a badger? who are more likely candidates for entering as you have described.whilst Badgers can't climb like a fox, they are much more adept at digging.Just wondering if your garden is Badger proof? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Oh I'm so sorry, its such a bad time of year for foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
