Chicken bald back

[chickenlicken85]

So far i've been letting my girls free range as often as i can. I let them out first thing when i get up then put them back into the coop when i go to work and let them out again as soon as i get home. Obviously at weekends they are out most of the timne but when ive been going out i put them back in.

 

I dont think there is any possibility of foxes, we live in a busy town and i have 8ft high concrete wall all around, also ive observed cats on the wall and they just seem wary rather than interested.

 

Would it be ok to leave them out when im not home as they seem so much happier??

[Olly]

Sorry, but if a cat can get there, a fox can - and the first time many people know there is a fox around is when their hens are taken. There are few towns that don't have foxes in. I wouldn't risk it.

[sjp]

As said it's not worth the risk I've seen foxes in the middle of the day on housing estates with people less than 20 feet away on the other side of a fence totally unaware that the fox was there. before I had chickens I used to get a fox in the garden most afternoons sleeping on the compost bin that one you could get with in 6 feet before it scarpered. the one we've got now at the moment are night time visitors but that could change at anytime

[Egluntyne]

I wouldn't risk it. I also live in a busy town, have high walls and fences, an d usually can hear someone nearby working in their garden, but have seen foxes many times during the day.

[Patricia W]

You're more likely to see a fox in a town than in the more rural suburbs, and they are more confident. If I were you, I'd at least get some electrified netting.

[Chicken deficient]

From what you have described, I wouldn't risk it either. Sorry

Are you able to put an angled overhang around the top of the wall, to stop things climbing up?