Dealing with guilt

[RedWorm]

When I went on a brief holiday my chickens were attacked and killed. I had friends coming over every day, and bought an automatic feeder, all of which did nothing to protect them from a fox (which I assume was brave enough to attack because nobody was there at night). I had to ben informed by my friends that they only found feathers in the morning. I feel incredibly guilty for not being there to protect them. Please be honest, would my being at home have made any difference?

 

[chickens really]

Maybe and maybe not...
When you are home do you lock the Birds in at night?
Sorry it happened..

 

[Cragg Klefor]

When I went on a brief holiday my chickens were attacked and killed. I had friends coming over every day, and bought an automatic feeder, all of which did nothing to protect them from a fox (which I assume was brave enough to attack because nobody was there at night). I had to ben informed by my friends that they only found feathers in the morning. I feel incredibly guilty for not being there to protect them. Please be honest, would my being at home have made any difference?

I'm so sorry for your loss!
Honestly, impossible to say. But unless you were out in the coop physically with your flock a fox will try his luck. It's very likely your being away wouldn't have made a difference.

 

[mandelyn]

So sorry you lost your flock! A fox doesn't much care if someone is home or not, so long as they feel like no one is watching. They're very brazen, in the sneakiest ways.

 

[BuffOrps32]

I do not believe so. Foxes are wily and brave. I had one take out half my flock in broad daylight. They are sneaky and cunning don't beat yourself up about it.

 

[50-45-1]

The only thing that protects chickens at night is a locking them in a secure coop. No holes, go gaps, no loose boards....
Lacking that, A dedicated guardian dog that patrolls all night also works.
I am sorry for the loss of your flock.

 

[Ducksandchickens]

I’m sorry for your loss. Foxes are incredibly intelligent and brave so I don’t think you could of done anything even if you were at home

 

[coach723]

I'm very sorry for your loss. The only way to ensure that your birds are completely safe is to have them in a completely predator proof coop and run. If you free range, then this is always a possibility, and it can happen very quick. Even if you free range, the coop they go into at night should be predator proof since they are at even greater risk then. If you decide to start again I would take a good look at your set up and do some predator proofing so that you don't have a repeat. There are many threads here, and many other sites that will give you help with that. You can also post pictures on the coop and run construction forums and predators and pests forums, and get suggestions from others on how you might improve what you have. And predators usually come back to where they have been successful.

 

[micstrachan]

I’m so sorry for your loss. I agree with the others that your not being home was likely not a factor, unless your absence prevented them from being locked up in a secure coop at night (and run during the day).

 

[21hens-incharge]

Wow not a good thing to come home to.

I recently had my run breached. I pulled up some of my apron wire planning on replacing that section.
Before I got it done a fox dug in. I was very glad my birds were locked in the coop.

I agree fox are sneaky and smart! How it knew THAT section was vulnerable I will never know.

I have motion activated lights AND keep my bedroom window open a couple inches at night. It still got in the run.