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[WhinafredWhiteOne]

One of our 3 chickens was taken between 10:30 & 11:30 this morning. They were free range in the garden and I was out taking my daughter to the drs!

I couldn't deal with her body so left it for my husband to dispose of when he gets home, but the fox returned at 14:30! I chased him down the garden and he went into next doors garden, sat down and looked at me as if to say "And, what ya going to do about it?" So I climbed the fence and chased him some more, all in my slippers and snow!!

I have since disposed of her

My concern is obviously the 2 remaining hens. They are in a wooden coup, off the ground, with a homemade, enclosed run. Do you think the fox will try to get them too? Is there anything more I can do? Husband marks the area, we've dug down, and I've put slabs down around the edge. They did roam the garden, but wont be any more. We are in a rural area, our garden goes straight into fields and dogs are frequently walked down the foot path parallel to our garden.

Any advice would be greatly received.

Thank you.

[Egluntyne]

Yes, I' afraid it will be back on regular reckkies, so please beef up your security and don't let them free range or the time being.

[Olly]

Firstly, I'm so sorry to hear about your hen - this time of year the foxes are particularly keen, and it can happen to anyone.

 

The short answer is 'yes' - the fox WILL be back, and very little will scare him off, so your defences have to be good. Is the coop secure? You say the run is home-made - is it made with weldmesh, or with chicken wire? Chicken wire is good for keeping hens in, but won't keep predators out, a determined fox will bite through it.

 

Provided the run is strong, and he/she can't tunnel under or bite through, or force their way in then your hens should be ok inside there. Unfortunately as you've discovered, free-ranging may have to be under supervision only in future. Rural foxes are often more timid than their urban opposites but at this time of year they are hungry and will take risks. I hope your daughter (and you) can get over the trauma, it's a horrid experience.

[Egghead68]

So sorry to hear this.

[mimi5]

I'm afraid he/she will!!! That's the one thing you can be sure of. My best friend had 5 hybrids and loved to let them free range once a day.......1st she lost the legbars, then a few days later her 2 black girls, all during daylight hours while she was "around" (she does have a long garden that backs on to fields though!)and no real noise.....just lots of feathers left behind!!! She was so distressed, she re-homed her remaining Maran hen!!! She's decided not to keep hens as the thing she enjoyed most (apart from eggs!) was seeing them free ranging in her garden:(

 

A fox proof run is the only safe way to keep hens, that and supervised free ranging. Foxes are very determined especially if they have cubs to feed.

[Cheeky Chooky]

So sorry to hear about your hen.

[Luvachicken]

Sorry to hear about your girly.

Mine have been pestered by a fox recently too but I haven't seen him for a few days, although I think he has been about because I can see his footprints in the snow.

 

I hope the fox stays away.

[WhinafredWhiteOne]

Thank you for your replies. There certainly wont be any more free roaming unless we are in the garden. I will get some stronger netting for the run too. These are our first hens, and the first time I've had a kill. Luckily my daughter is 2 and I've simply told her that the chicken wont be in the garden any more as the fox had been unkind. Thank you again for your advise. The other two laid this morning.