Chicken bald back

[AndyRoo]

So, I went out to the garden tonight to put out some new string lighting so we can see ourselves once the sun goes down, and who do I see admiring our chickens: a great big red fox!

 

I was torn between shooing him away as quick as I could, and wanting to take a photo. He really was a handsome little fox.

 

If my grandmother were still around, she'd probably make the choice for me - she used to wear them.

[Cat tails]

Oooh I'm jealous!

A fox is still on my list of wildlife I want to see! I would have the same reaction.

[soapdragon]

I clearly remember house sitting for PIL many years ago. They lived in a village and big back garden backed onto fields. They had a lovely big hen house at the end of the garden and around 15 birds of various breeds; all very friendly and much loved.

 

One morning I went down to let the chickens out and found absolute carnage; only two birds were still alive and they had to be dispatched straight away due the the massive nature of their injuries Not one single bird had been taken or properly eaten so it wasn't a fox desperate to feed itself or cubs, just wanton destruction and so I have been anti fox ever since

 

Foxes are indeed handsome animals but also natural born killers! Sorry to be so negative but I am firmly on the side of the chickens on this one!

[Cat tails]

Chickens are also natural born killers. Especially when you are a little unexpecting petunia and all you want in life is make pretty little flowers. Along comes a vicious hen, who will pluck you to your bare stem and just discard your once pretty flowers on the ground.

 

I'm not dismissing the trauma and sorrow of a fox attack. I luckily can only imagine how aweful it is, but I do think it is all a matter of perspective. We normally cheer on a lion trying to catch a gazelle, but once it goes for a cow, it's a monster killer.

[Cinnamon]

The foxes here are gorgeous too - darker brown in colour with bright white tips to their tails.

Its always thrilling to unexpectedly see a wild animal in its natural surroundings

[Cat tails]

The foxes here are gorgeous too - darker brown in colour with bright white tips to their tails.

Its always thrilling to unexpectedly see a wild animal in its natural surroundings

 

My love too! Any wildlife will make happy. From mice to deer. Once got a little overexcited seeing a rat swimming in a river... was an ordinary brown rat.

[gavclojak]

I have done the same. I have actually just watched to see if they try to get In the the enclosure and that would tell me if there were any weak points in my run.

 

I would much rather be there to see what he was doing but as it turned out he just wanted a snooze on the roof.

 

Luckily the girls were fast asleep in the cube at this point.

[Mars]

I remember a few months ago I woke up Saturday morning to see the hens following something across the fence and magpies flying over them, the rooster was leading the crowd, I thought one of the hens flew across the fence and they were following her while she was trying to get back, looking carefully, they were following a big red fox who was examining the fence.

[Hippie Chick]

I love foxes, but then again most animals get my vote! I'd very much prefer them to stay away from my garden now I have chickens though - I'm hoping my male dog scenting everywhere will help to dissuade any foxy from prowling here.

[Millie-Annie]

Chickens are also natural born killers. Especially when you are a little unexpecting petunia and all you want in life is make pretty little flowers. Along comes a vicious hen, who will pluck you to your bare stem and just discard your once pretty flowers on the ground.

 

 

or you're just a tortoise trotting round your garden and a beautiful handsome fox turns you over and snaps your head and legs off.

 

I'm sorry but to those of us having suffered the trauma and fear of being targeted by a fox, this is just insulting.

 

Maybe it's me and it's just too raw still

[Cat tails]

Like I said Millie-Annie, I'm very lucky that I can only imagine how horrible it must be to experience a fox attack.

[Millie-Annie]

Ok, as I said maybe it's me and it's still too raw

[soapdragon]

Ok, as I said maybe it's me and it's still too raw

 

Me too...when you have 1st hand experience of foxe's wanton violence it does colour your view of these predators.

[gavclojak]

Ok, as I said maybe it's me and it's still too raw

 

I really am so very sorry you have found this thread insulting or upsetting, I am sure despite differing opinions there isn't anybody on this forum that would want to deliberately upset you. an opinion or observation is just that and I'm sure none of this thread was intended to upset you.

The fact is although we know the damage they can do, some of us and that includes me still appreciates the beauty of a fox and I am glad they are still able to roam free.

Again sorry as no offence is intended

[Cat tails]

Same here.

[mullethunter]

Ditto

[Millie-Annie]

Thank you, that's fine. We are all entitled to our opinions. But I hate foxes with a vengeance but appreciate in the Country they are a different matter

[sarkymite]

Oooh I'm jealous!

A fox is still on my list of wildlife I want to see! I would have the same reaction.

 

Cat tails, come and visit us. We saw two in the ten minute walk home from the pub last night

[Cat tails]

Oooh I'm jealous!

A fox is still on my list of wildlife I want to see! I would have the same reaction.

 

Cat tails, come and visit us. We saw two in the ten minute walk home from the pub last night

 

Wow! The only thing I'm likely to spot here going to a pub are rats or fat city pigeons.

 

My mom spotted a Kingfisher the other day. Also very high on the list. There are far less foxes here than in the UK I guess. Too much traffic and too little green I guess. The one time we get a visiting wolf over from Germany, it gets hit by a car within days.

[dancing cloud]

Plenty of foxes to come and see round here too, though we're a bit short of visiting wolves

 

I was very lucky to rescue both my chooks from little mrs fox and they both survived (probably because she was still little then), but they can no longer free range ever again. The walk-in run was very costly, however we now get regular visits and it's the only way to keep them safe.

 

Foxes are very beautiful, fascinating to watch, excellent parents - and definitely best viewed at a distance through strong wire mesh.