Scary Mary Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 For the first time in over 12 years I am without chickens . My girls used to free range, but after a series of fox attacks 6/7 years ago I erected electric netting so they could free range, over a limited area. I had read it was a only a deterrent, but it seemed to work well - until today! It would appear that a fox lifted the bottom of the fencing, the bottom line is not electrified, in a number of places until it managed to lift one bit high enough to get under (the longed for rain had softened the soil under a fencing spike). I went up to see them, the fence was on, but no one was at home - we worked out what happened by the sorry trail of feathers and the unusual way in which the fence was positioned. We know (painfully) that the fence works well and we had just the day before yesterday moved all the spikes and made sure there were no gaps. My only consolation is that the fox must have been really desperate so the girls were actually killed for food rather than wantonly killed. The intelligence exhibited by the fox is astounding as there were three sites where the fence had been lifted and more that one side of the run had been tested. This is my worst birthday ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridieLou Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 I'm so sorry to hear that, that's so sad. Especially on your birthday! They are cunning creatures and it sounded like you couldn't have done anymore to protect them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Oh bless you, I am so sorry for you and now every birthday will be horrible reminder. So very sad for you and your girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 That is a really rubbish birthday. Sorry to hear of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Sorry to hear it I know how devastating fox attacks can be. 7 years of the fence working is 7 years of happy hens and it just happened that this time the unfortunate circumstances allowed an attack. Try not to beat yourself up about it. Hope you manage to have a nice weekend and enjoy your birthday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 So sorry that such a sad thing happened, and on your birthday too xxx It sounds like you did everything that you could to protect your girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChickenPoopGarden Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 Oh, I know your pain. I'm so sorry your girls got taken xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted May 12, 2017 Share Posted May 12, 2017 I know your pain too and I am so so sorry. If there was one animal I could eradicate of the face of the earth it would be the fox. I hate them so so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 You don't mention actually testing the fence for voltage Mary. In dry weather the earth circuit disappears, unless you have a separate earth circuit with ground stakes. So it could be the fence had no really effective voltage and the fox just lifted the slackest point. Sorry for the loss. We've been in the same position as you, as have many on the forum. We now have ours behind permanent wire netting and later this year a new enclosure will be built (moving house) with the netting as the earth and separate live wires around and above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scary Mary Posted May 14, 2017 Author Share Posted May 14, 2017 Beantree, my first thought was that the electricity supply to the garden had tripped out - you don't really expect a fox to go near a live fence - but I have a fence tester on the fence - the simple sort that lights up a line of diodes - and although I can't read the scale anymore - the little lights were showing a good voltage and in our home our alarm would have registered any interruption to our power supply. Although still shocked, I have really appreciated all of your kind words - thank you all. Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Did you do anything nice for your birthday? Will you be getting more chickens? I know it will be hard to restock after beefing up security but I can't imagine life without them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scary Mary Posted May 23, 2017 Author Share Posted May 23, 2017 Birthday was spent cleaning up cube and removing run - but thank you for asking. Sadly I will have to stop keeping chickens as I would need something akin to Fort Knox as the fence has been broached. As we hope to downsize in a year or two I cannot justify the expense - the garden is very quiet and boring without them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted May 23, 2017 Share Posted May 23, 2017 My garden is the same and I dont think I will have more now. I feel really sad that such a lovely hobby had to end like that for us both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
