Chicken ATTACK!!

[mufflerchick]

About a month ago I let my girls free range out in our yard (5 acres worth). After an hour or so I got up to check on my girls and discovered large clumps of feathers....and subsequently found that 4 of my girls had been attacked by a fox (4 pm in the afternoon!) These attacks were within 20-30 ft of our house. Since the attack I've been VERY leary of letting my girls out into the yard and will only let them out now when my husband or I are outside with them. The hens that were killed were some of my BEST layers and since that time the most eggs we have gotten from 10 hens is averaging 1-4 per day. Mostly being 1-2 per day. I also have 12 week old pullets that I have opened up their run to attach to the 'big girls' run and everyone seems to get along.....but still no eggs. They don't seem to be molting much...we do have some feather loss at the base of their tales but all of that seems to be regrowing well.....any suggestions as to how to get them to lay again.?? I'm thinking about putting ceramic eggs in the boxes to see if that will prod them along....we have had some hot/humid days also so there are just sooo much coming at these girls right now. My roo is very protective of them and each morning when we open their door he is the first one down the ladder and quick runs around the run checkin things out before he will allow any of the girls to go outside. Walter does a GREAT job and also tried to lure the fox away from the coops...
Thanks fo any suggestions.

 

[nuthatched]

The attack set them off and the heat is preventing laying, they may pick up before the fall molt but it's hard to say.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Since the attack I've been VERY leary of letting my girls out into the yard and will only let them out now when my husband or I are outside with them.

This may be a mild deterrent but it's not a preventative. I had one of my ladies snatched up by a coyote in the middle of the day with me and my husband outside with our 2 small dogs not 20 feet away. The fox is watching and will be back! As far as the laying goes, they've been through a spell and shock can offset laying, plus this time of year things are winding down anyway for most breeds so all you can do is wait.

 

[canne50]

The attack set them off and the heat is preventing laying, they may pick up before the fall molt but it's hard to say.

Very much agree with you.