- Jun 8, 2014
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We've been raising 8 beautiful chickens for 3 and a half months now, from just day old chicks. 2 Polish, 4 Easter Eggers, and 2 Silkies. We have never once had a problem with predators... until now, of course. First, our beloved Polish went missing. Though, we just thought she got lost. We always had to lead her back to the group, and she was the only chicken who would approach people. We were devastated ,and blamed her loss on her behaviors, not thinking something got her. This was about 2 weeks ago. Yesterday, a family member saw a fox, and immediately checked on the chickens. 3 out of the now 7 were hiding in the bushes, not moving. 2 came back later in the day, but we saw feathers of the missing chickens spewn across the yard. Today, the last polish's tail feathers were found. We're now thinking of what to do.... We can buy a run, but foxes can dig! We can just give them to the farm, and decide to never raise chickens. We can also set out traps every year, but about if the foxes prefer live prey? We were thinking of a guard dog, but I've never trained a dog to sit, never mind to not hunt little animals but instead foxes! I ask you... what would be the best possible solution, for us and the chickens? We don't want to see anymore of our beloved pets get hurt!