Hi. (I'm new and promise I'll add a proper hello just after I post this!!)
On Friday night A fox got into one of my pens (holding a young cockerel and three older hens) and did what they do.
Initially I thought I'd lost all four, but later on I found the cockerel, caught him, cleaned him up and sorted his injuries (mostly superficial).
Amazingly, that afternoon I found one of the hens limping home.
She also had mostly superficial wounds and a damaged wing, not broken, most likely sprained badly.
Anyway, they both spent the night in the house recovering and seemed bright enough the next morning, so they're in my chick/sick chicken/new chicken run, nice and safe.
My problem is though, the cockerel is now frantic, constantly glued to the hens side to the point where he's interrupting her eating and drinking. He's also jumping her constantly and roughly (he'd previously learned some manners and was quite gentlemanly with his wives).
I'm hoping he'll settle down again, but I'm worried about the hen.
I could take her away from him but that would mean putting her in with the other flock, which I don't want to do while she's still covered in small wounds (all purple sprayed, but they'll still worry after her), but I also don't want to make the cockerel even more frantic by removing her.
Any advice?
On Friday night A fox got into one of my pens (holding a young cockerel and three older hens) and did what they do.
Initially I thought I'd lost all four, but later on I found the cockerel, caught him, cleaned him up and sorted his injuries (mostly superficial).
Amazingly, that afternoon I found one of the hens limping home.
She also had mostly superficial wounds and a damaged wing, not broken, most likely sprained badly.
Anyway, they both spent the night in the house recovering and seemed bright enough the next morning, so they're in my chick/sick chicken/new chicken run, nice and safe.
My problem is though, the cockerel is now frantic, constantly glued to the hens side to the point where he's interrupting her eating and drinking. He's also jumping her constantly and roughly (he'd previously learned some manners and was quite gentlemanly with his wives).
I'm hoping he'll settle down again, but I'm worried about the hen.
I could take her away from him but that would mean putting her in with the other flock, which I don't want to do while she's still covered in small wounds (all purple sprayed, but they'll still worry after her), but I also don't want to make the cockerel even more frantic by removing her.
Any advice?
my Dad did that after I read about it in a book I,and mentioned it was funny! It worked for awhile,but I think he might have stopped doing it b/c Mr Fox came back. No major injuries though!only a tail-less roo who has a little puncture wound!a couple of bald spots on everyone else,but they're ok! One hen just went broody somewhere and I can't find her!!! She's little,white,and dumb! Please keep her in your prayers. So sorry for your loss 
The fox had come back the day after to dig up his caches , but since I ordered outdoor peeing there's been no more physical signs. Also keeping away the badgers that like tipping over flower pots to look for worms! 
