Chiccoletta Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 I am devestated, fox came in broad daylight when they were free ranging and has taken Flopsy and Cookie. Can't bear to tell the kids so I've gone out and replaced them immediately, cried all the way there and back - feel like an idiot. Can I ask, after you've lost chickens this way do you still let them free range or do you lock them in the run? Feels wrong. What a rubbish day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridieLou Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 I'm so sorry to hear that. It's awful, you must be so sad. I can't help with your question unfortunately. Ours free range and given they've been okay for a few years, I'd be inclined to let any future ones FR too, if they did get taken by the fox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Sorry to hear you've had a rotten time, it is quite horrible when it happens No, I would not let them FR any more. Foxes in daytime are sadly common, and once a fox knows where there is a meal they will be back. I keep mine in various large electric netting pens, but even that is not entirely foxproof and if I go out from the house I shut them up. I only let them FR now when I am in the garden, but even then I have to have eyes in the back of my head. Its up to you, and of course some people have no problems with foxes, but you have already experienced how devastating the loss is, and so you need to take that into account. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Sorry to hear that. I do agree foxy will be back. I would only let them out when you are there. A friend was sitting on her patio talking to her husband when fox appeared and grabbed one of her chickens. Husband was quick and ran after it and he dropped chicken which survived.Mine are in a fenced off area and I leave dog about when they are FR there but always put them back in WIR when going out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiccoletta Posted June 27, 2017 Author Share Posted June 27, 2017 Thank you for your replays, I appreciate it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Im so sorry to hear what happened to you. Its heart breaking I know. Completely agree he will be back, time and time and time again, your girls now need to be kept under complete fort knox conditions. Its horrible. Of course the alternative is to get rid of the fox........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Sorry to hear that You need to improve your defenses, may be try electric fencing or fox trap or both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 I'm so sorry to hear it. I only allow my hens to free-range when I am in the garden with them - it's a personal choice, but the chances of this happening again are high. Electric fences are not appropriate for most back-garden settings, especially if you have young children so I think keeping them in is your only option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted June 28, 2017 Share Posted June 28, 2017 Very sad to read your story. Mine are always shut in and always have been. I hope the fox stays away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Mine only free range when I'm at home and can hear them and could get to them quickly (I.e. Not when I'm in the shower or hoovering). I know that's still not totally foolproof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiccoletta Posted July 2, 2017 Author Share Posted July 2, 2017 Well we've let our new chickens out (Cookie & Flopsy mark II) over the weekend with strict supervision (hubbie fussing if they roam more than 2 metres away -lol)! We're going to invest in some electric poultry netting, I wondered if anyone has any experience of using this, is it OK for kids (mine are 4 & 5) in the event they accidentally touch it? How easy is it to move about etc? New chooks are very different in personality from the two we lost although they are their doppelgänger to look at, funny isn't it, I never thought chooks had such distinctive personalities?! Thanks all, Chiccoletta XX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mars Posted July 2, 2017 Share Posted July 2, 2017 Olly above said electric fencing is not good for kids, I think that is true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millie-Annie Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 https://www.electricfencing.co.uk for some reason I cant post links on here, but this company were really helpful when I rang them for advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minnie&Moose Posted July 3, 2017 Share Posted July 3, 2017 We've used electrified poultry netting for our chickens for the last 9 years. My son was 8 when we first got it and he never had any problems with it. We've had younger children around it with no problems either - if we have very young kids visiting then we're out in the garden with them so I turn the fence off and then turn it on again as everyone goes back inside. I would say that as long as (i) you've got enough space that your kids can play/move around the garden without having to edge round the fence all the time, and (ii) you teach them about it, and include reminder sessions (we got our son to teach his friends and other kids about the fence - that way he remembered as well), then it should be fine. Our cats, and other neighbourhood cats, also learned to cope with it - the only casualties have been a couple of drunken teenagers who climbed over our garden fence in an attempt to break into the neighbour's workshop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
