Guest Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 The Postie brought me a fox this morning he found her on the road, obviously killed by a car - just outside the village - it must have happened overnight as she wasn't there in the evening yesterday. He gets eggs from us and was delighted that 'he' was now dead - unfortunately, on looking 'he' was a 'she' The vixen that was killed looked like she'd had cubs - which is sad as they won't manage at this stage on their own Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Oh no, what a shame, will you try looking for the cubs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 That would explain the apparent hunger and risk taking. Ah well, perhaps your hens will be in less danger now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 Would the dog fox have been killing to provide for cubs, or are they a 'love them and leave them' animal which leaves the female to it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 That would explain the apparent hunger and risk taking. Ah well, perhaps your hens will be in less danger now. It's a dog fox that is consistently here - same fox every time - we can identify him by an odd marking down his rear LH leg. The fox the postie brought is one that i may have seen at a distance but i've never seen her near the house/chickens/animals. A dog fox will sometimes help a vixen and cubs, but generally this is when they are tiny and the vixen doesnt leave the earth...however, a family i watched a few years ago, the male was still providing for the vixen and cubs when they were around 8w old. It seems to be that often last years vixens stay with their mothers and help with the cubs...other female relatives apparently do the same. @ The Dogmother - i have no idea where the cubs will be - where the vixen was killed is surrounded by fields and a wood as well as bordering the village. The farmer was down checking the snares today and said that the cubs will perish - i'm guessing he is just happy that they wont survive - however, it does make me feel sorry for them..starving is a horrible way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Any news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Empty traps again We didn't see him last night/early morning or during the morning today. However the Postie tells us 22 hens were killed at the farm on the far side of the village, the Guineafowl survived but only because they were roosting in a tree - the geese survived too as did the Cockerel. We wondered where he'd gone. The farmer who owns the field behind us has his gamekeeper on the case as he doesn't want the cubs or this dog fox doing anymore damage. He said that one of his farmhands had seen 2 young foxes wandering along the grass verge yesterday - it now turns out this wasnt far from where the vixen was found. Maybe her cubs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 I wouldn't kill Guinea Fowl either - ghastly birds Good that everyone's on alert... how long before the farmers start a concerted campaign? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Good that everyone's on alert... how long before the farmers start a concerted campaign? Not long - he's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 What a killing spree Poor hens Hope the situation gets resolved soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 I would never have believed this of a fox if we werent experiencing it first hand - i'd have read it and thought someone was exaggerating I've never seen anything quite like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redcharlie43 Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 I believe you. There have been several cases where fox's have got into houses and mauled babies. Yes I know that they have never killed one but still they are capable of great damage. I hope that he is caught soon so everyone in the village can have some peace and I hope you can get your chickens home soon. Its a nightmare scenario that I hope no one else has to endure. Good Luck .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 I believe you. There have been several cases where fox's have got into houses and mauled babies. Yes I know that they have never killed one but still they are capable of great damage. I hope that he is caught soon so everyone in the village can have some peace and I hope you can get your chickens home soon. Its a nightmare scenario that I hope no one else has to endure.Good Luck .. Thank you i found out who the woman was who was feeding the foxes tonight and 'happened' past her house tonight and got chatting - I told her what had been happening at which point she called him 'naughty' and 'silly' and said that 'he didn't really mean it' and that he probably wanted to just play with the puppy she then went on to tell me that she'd feed them more to make them less hungry I asked if maybe she wouldn't feed them as they were causing a real nuisance and her words were 'oh no...that'd break his heart - he loves his cuddles that one' And we wonder why we have a problem Her husband then piped up that he doesn't like him in their house. Dear God. I had to leave before I said something I shouldnt have Meh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shemybelle Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 I had a similar conversation with my gran last week. She said that she feeds her local fox because she feels sorry for it. I tried to explain why she shouldn't, but she just wasn't getting it. I love my wee granny, but that really did make me cross. Cuddles, though? That's insane. Lx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 That just about sums it up, doesn't it? Puts me in mind of the 'and we wonder why' thread over on LL I think you're having one of my 'first against the wall come the revolution' moments Wendy there's red hair in my family too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 I said some very naughty words on the way home and felt like sending her the ever-increasing bill for the new WIR extension Infact definitely sums up how I feel tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 That's insane. I'll second that. Totally unbelievable that folks would feed them let alone attempt to come into contact with them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 "wanted to play" and "loves his cuddles" . Is she for real ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 "wanted to play" and "loves his cuddles" . Is she for real ? My thoughts exactly! Ah Kalico, I really feel for you - keep strong! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 She is a nice woman, if somewhat deluded about the fact that he didn't mean to kill the hens and wanted to play with the puppy she seems to genuinely love the foxes - which to a degree I can understand - however, she must know, surely, that its causing major problems. Her husband said 'oh, it won't be him that causing all the problems elsewhere surely' They don't seem to take on board that they are in part causing the problem It's a tad frustrating and its probably just as well we go away on Tuesday for a while. The traps are empty again this morning - in this awful weather he's probably tucked up under the woman's duvet At least I can laugh Thank you all for listening to my daily fox rant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 The traps are empty again this morning - in this awful weather he's probably tucked up under the woman's duvet Oh dear, what an image!! Sadly I can imagine that from what you've said! x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Oh my goodness, that woman sounds totally bonkers! How on earth can anyone think that it's a good idea to encourage a wild animal to become semi-tame? On the plus side, can you not tip off your farmer/gamekeeper that that's where the fox is hanging out??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Oh my goodness, that woman sounds totally bonkers! How on earth can anyone think that it's a good idea to encourage a wild animal to become semi-tame? On the plus side, can you not tip off your farmer/gamekeeper that that's where the fox is hanging out??? Just told him when i got back in today although he was like he did then say 'we'll need to get rid of it far away from hers' - i thought this a little odd but when i asked my neighbour, she said the woman who feeds the fox - her husband is an elder at the church and that's what its a bit like round here 'mustn't upset anyone at the church' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Just heard another fox is dead at the other side of the village - awful to say - but i'm praying its THE fox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Sad that an animal has died but I still hope it's that one . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
