First fox attack

[Hairydadrock]

Well it's happened after 10 yrs of keeping chickens and I'm broken! I've lost 6 of 8 birds to a daytime attack,not fully sure how it got in I've made changes where I think it got but not sure,birds locked up in cage and coop both severely traumatised not sure if I'm gonna lose them to be honest.Im a 59 Yr old man and I can't stop crying,I'm devastated got noone I know to talk about chickens so noone really knows,I'm just reaching out to everyone on here.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

That’s just awful I am so sorry for your losses. I hope your last two pull through it sounds like you need them just as much as they need you!

 

[my spoiled chickens]

Im so sorry, the 2 survivors are probably just in shock but i will summon some people just incase
@Wyorp Rock
@Eggcessive

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hello! I'm so sorry, wrapping you in a hug!

Take your remaining ladies indoors, keep them in a semi dark room, offer sweetened water and whatever food they like. First 24 hours are most critical.

 

[ChicNmom]

So sorry. It's amazing how attached you get to your chickens. And it hurts worse if they had a traumatic experience.

Did you carefully check the other two over for any injuries?


Chickens are self aware and they know when their friends are gone so they will be skittish for a while. Especially since it happened in a place they felt safe. I would give them some electrolytes and any good treats they like.

Do you know what got them? Double check the whole coop and secure everything. The predator will come back and try to get the other 2 and possibly any future chickens if it gets away with this.


So sorry for you.

Sending hugs.

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

Pics of your setup? It won’t bring the lost birds back, but maybe someone here can help find the hole(s) in your security and patch those?

 

[Hairydadrock]

So sorry. It's amazing how attached you get to your chickens. And it hurts worse if they had a traumatic experience.

Did you carefully check the other two over for any injuries?


Chickens are self aware and they know when their friends are gone so they will be skittish for a while. Especially since it happened in a place they felt safe. I would give them some electrolytes and any good treats they like.

Do you know what got them? Double check the whole coop and secure everything. The predator will come back and try to get the other 2 and possibly any future chickens if it gets away with this.


So sorry for you.

Sending hugs.

Thanks everyone,I'm here in the UK so it's only really foxes that get them,dogs and mink maybe but not in my area,I've hopefully secured where it got in and the birds are locked up tight.ashamed to say I've been waiting for it to return with an axe in my hand,I'm that angry,probably wouldn't be able to kill it anyway.

 

[my spoiled chickens]

Thanks everyone,I'm here in the UK so it's only really foxes that get them,dogs and mink maybe but not in my area,I've hopefully secured where it got in and the birds are locked up tight.ashamed to say I've been waiting for it to return with an axe in my hand,I'm that angry,probably wouldn't be able to kill it anyway.

If you have a dog they are good at chasing them away, we just had a fox in our field that my dog went after. I recommend something like a quarterstaff or bo staff to get after it. The foxes over there are way too social around humans

 

[Hairydadrock]

If you have a dog they are good at chasing them away, we just had a fox in our field that my dog went after. I recommend something like a quarterstaff or bo staff to get after it. The foxes over there are way too social around humans

Yeah,I have a jack Russel terrier unfortunately she's 14yrs old and can't run!

 

[ChicNmom]

Thanks everyone,I'm here in the UK so it's only really foxes that get them,dogs and mink maybe but not in my area,I've hopefully secured where it got in and the birds are locked up tight.ashamed to say I've been waiting for it to return with an axe in my hand,I'm that angry,probably wouldn't be able to kill it anyway.

I used to think I couldn't kill a predator that was just acting on instinct because I do love animals and nature. Then I got attached to my chickens. I view them more as pets. Not in the same category of my cats, but I'm responsible for their health, care and safety.

Once a predator gets a meal it becomes a nuisance animal.
I'll end it the same way I deal with rodents or ground hogs in the garden. Generally with a .22 or a shotgun as needed.

There are plenty of other things for them to eat in the woods around us.

And if my only tool was an axe. I'd beat it to death and sleep well that night.