Confusing EE/Did I end up with all boys!?

[ShrekDawg]

Do you know when it happened? Daytime or...?
I caught a fox in my run last year that got in through a teeny tiny little hole he dug. I wouldn't have thought he would fit if I hadn't seen him. He found the one spot without an apron.

I have no idea. I didn’t see or hear anything and I was up pretty late (Until around 5). I did think I heard like one little squawk last night around dusk but I didn’t investigate because I assumed it was just roosting squabbles. It was only the one too, nothing else, and it wasn’t a panicked sound or anything. But now I wish I would have investigated. I wonder if that was it

But it could have also been today but I never heard anything today and they don’t seem panicked.

Could a fox fit through a teeny little hole!? And would he have only taken one!?

When I had the last incident I put a bunch of wood and stuff around the outside of the run so nothing could grab them through the fence andI also have railroad ties along part of the fence (there’s a low spot) so I assumed it was fine but I guess not. I will be putting HC and an apron on it now.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I think they first one is just from them dustbathing/scratching but idk hah but the others and all the dirt is new. Idk why it would have dug under the coop after it already got in? Maybe because it is a tight spot to maneuver or something? Maybe it dug under and came out the front? Idk. But I didn’t hear or see anything.

And I know I’ve been lucky but the other birds don’t have a skirt or anything up the sides either and I’ve never had any problems. Even when I had little chicks out there. Way younger than these and just as easy a target. Yet the predators all seem to be focused on the boys! Maybe they know I can’t keep them or something hah

I will be putting HC and aprons on all the pens though.

I feel like an idiot for not having done it already but I guess I’ve been spoiled or lulled into a false sense of security because everything’s been fine for 4 1/2 years.

But I’m gonna get serious now and also start locking them in at night too.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Yeah, I think a fox could've fit through there maybe.
Foxes don't usually stop at just one, but maybe something interrupted it?
What other predators do you have in your area? Anything like weasels and such?

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yeah, I think a fox could've fit through there maybe.
Foxes don't usually stop at just one, but maybe something interrupted it?
What other predators do you have in your area? Anything like weasels and such?

Yeah I guess that one in the back is pretty big! But oddly there is no dirt on the outside back there. Only on the side. Yet no hole on the inside.

And yeah I would have thought a fox would have taken them all or at least gone through the front where there was less protection. They are smart.

We have hawks, owls, raccoons, coyotes, fox, skunks, rats, and while I have never personally seen one I do believe we have weasels. Somebody a few miles down the street lost an entire clock to them last year or the year before. So they are around but I’ve never seen any or had an issue and also the run is chain link and I think they could easily fit through the links or gap in the door??? So why would they waste time and energy digging in instead of just slipping through the fence??

My mom also said she saw a huge hawk this morning and swore it had something in its mouth so is it possible something else killed him/took him out of the run and then the hawk stole it??? Or???

I am going to go look for him but I am sure he is dead.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Most of the hawks around my place aren't big enough to actually leave with a chicken, they eat them where they kill them. But if you have big hawks, it's possible that might be where he went.
I hate having to deal with everything wanting to eat my chickens.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Most of the hawks around my place aren't big enough to actually leave with a chicken, they eat them where they kill them. But if you have big hawks, it's possible that might be where he went.
I hate having to deal with everything wanting to eat my chickens.

Yeah, I usually see them eat their prey on the ground but I suppose it could be possible! We do have some big hawks and there were a bunch of feathers on the ground but I have no idea where he went. If he was alive he would have been back by now right? I feel bad I haven’t looked for him yet but I’m almost positive he is gone and I wanted to secure the pen for the rest of them. But I am going to go scour just in case.

And yeah me too!! Weird thing is I haven’t had any issues with the other chickens but yet these ones everything is eating them!!!

 

[chrissynemetz]

How long has he been gone?
Maybe your boys look like an easier meal because they're still small'ish?

 

[ShrekDawg]

How long has he been gone?
Maybe your boys look like an easier meal because they're still small'ish?

I’m not sure. I only just discovered him missing this afternoon but I’m not sure how long he was gone before then. But he was there yesterday and the feathers weren’t.

And I thought that but I had my other chicks outside at a week old. Of course they were inside the coop but still. They were free ranging some with the others at 4 and 5 weeks and fully integrated by I think 6. So way younger and smaller than these guys. Yet they were never a target. Maybe because they are in with the big girls? But we’ve even had foxes circling but never tried to get in.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Can you get yourself a trail camera set up out there?

 

[ShrekDawg]

Can you get yourself a trail camera set up out there?

Yeah I think I am gong to try to find one. But it’s definitely my fault.