Sooo much pooping

[susieodea]

We woke up a couple of weeks ago at about 5.30am to find a fox running around on top of the chicken run, scaring the bejesus out of my three girls who are automatically let out at that time. Obviously the fox had sussed this and knew just when to arrive.

 

I scared the fox off (by running around like a lunatic in my nightie) but the chooks were all terrified and bleeding (I'd imagine from attacking each other and running into things) - one from the comb and two from their beaks.

 

Everything calmed down quite quickly and we changed the timer on the door opener to a bit later but I've noticed the two beak injuries now look like s"Ooops, word censored!"ey/puncturey things at the top of their beaks, which don't seem to be affecting the girls but look nasty and white against the colour of their beaks. There's no discharge or blood but the indentations see to be a few mls deep.

 

Anything to worry about? Will this eventually fill in?

[The Dogmother]

Hard to say without seeing them but I'd just give it a careful wash with some diluted Hibiscrub and keep an eye on it.

 

How much later have you set the door opener for? Personally, I wouldn't let the out to freerange any earlier than 7.30-8am as foxes are still around earlier than that. Now that you know you have an active fox in the area, you may need to radically re-think your freeranging 'policy' as it will be persistent until it gets to your chooks.

[susieodea]

Thanks for your suggestion. We have them in a fully enclosed, huge run which is attached to the coop and smaller run, so I have to let them into the bigger area physically, after their coop door opens at 6.30am. The fox took our three girls a couple of months ago and we reinforced accordingly.

 

Bloomin' foxes.

 

If it does get worse, I'll post some pictures.

 

Cheers