15 of 23 chickens killed in one day

[a.greenleaf]

The fox will definitely BE BACK SOON. It knows where the chicken buffet is. And the fox will be bold. Mine came back a few days later and I watched him charge right into the fence; it was on. He got a good shock, ran away and I haven't seen him since. You will want to keep your remaining chickens on lock down until you figure out a solution.

They are in the coop today. The run needs a little work to be completely predator proof. I am thinking of getting some electrical fencing for the bottom and maybe more.

 

[a.greenleaf]

So we have come to the conclusion that this will not stop us from owning chickens. It was a sobering experience but we have learned from it. One thing we learned was how much we enjoy having the hustle & bustle of chickens around. We are going to start throwing money at or run and see if we can make it totally predator proof. we are talking about getting more chicks, maybe now, maybe wait until spring hatch. I am looking into a electric poultry fence so I can still free range a bit.

 

[Birdsong 82]

So we have come to the conclusion that this will not stop us from owning chickens. It was a sobering experience but we have learned from it. One thing we learned was how much we enjoy having the hustle & bustle of chickens around. We are going to start throwing money at or run and see if we can make it totally predator proof. we are talking about getting more chicks, maybe now, maybe wait until spring hatch. I am looking into a electric poultry fence so I can still free range a bit.

I’m very sad to hear about that has happened. But I am happy to hear that this is not going to discourage you from any chickens. Awesome to hear that you’re going to do what it takes to make it right. And coming Here is a good way to start. Again I am very sorry to hear about what has happened

 

[RustyBucketFarmGirl]

They are in the coop today. The run needs a little work to be completely predator proof. I am thinking of getting some electrical fencing for the bottom and maybe more.

So sorry to hear! I am sure that must have been a devastating walk around the property. I am so afraid to loose ours to predators. I don’t let them free range unless hubby and i are home. So usually 2-3 hrs at night and then a bit longer on the weekends. Our run is predator proof as far as i know. Could probably use some reinforcing. No electric fence for us here with small girls, dogs and goats on the property.

Best of luck with the perpetrator!

 

[Howard E]

Dead birds buried or cached is often the work of a cat. Bobcat, lynx, etc. Normally cats only kill one or two, but multiple kills have been documented.

So the future has to include exclusion of any and all of the predators mentioned, or else this scenario will keep repeating.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome, and I'm so sorry for your losses. Also I'm glad that you are planning to regroup, rebuild, and continue to enjoy having chickens.
We had a fox kill ten nice hens one afternoon, and had the same scenario here, with bodies, and hidden bodies. It was a very bad day for us too!
Mary

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

I am so so sorry about your chickens! Do you have a web cam that you can set up to see what predator you are up against? Good luck getting rid of that beast!!!!

 

[a.greenleaf]

We bought a game camera. I am working on a skirt and two foot lower protection. Next I will be doing the roof of the run. I need to reconfigure the run a bit, it is 18 10 foot chain link fence panels and I want to put a roof on it.