Fox ate my chooks

[pgpoultry]

Well, the dreaded thing happened to me yesterday. My husband forgot to shut the hen houses at night and the fox got in there. All that was found of 6 of my lovely hens was feathers. 6 survived due, I believe, to my brave Dark Brahma boy who was found collapsed under the hedge full or rips and bite marks. He had to have several of the worst rips stitched and his life hung in the balance all day yesterday.

This morning the big boy has started to drink again (had to be syringed yesterday) and has eaten some poultry corn in the last hour (he is in the house where he is going to stay for a while).

Foxes can be such vicious predators when they have cubs.

Sandie

 

[ccoomber]

Quote:
bless him. What a brave boy! hope he continues to recover well! Sorry for your other losses

 

[BeccaB00]

Oh I am so sorry for your losses. But so happy that the brave little boy is doin' better!!

 

[pgpoultry]

Thank you,

My neighbour has a shotgun licence and chickens....he is looking out for us.

My daughter (without my knowledge) ordered me 3 turkens.....I think she thought that the fox would be frightened by them!

Sandie

 

[darkmatter]

Sitting up with a shotgun may not be effective, the fox will know you are there and strike when you're gone. A trap will work 24/7 for you. I've caught two, first one with the remains of a previous incident and the other on a freshly opened can of soft cat food. If you catch one------do not be mislead by his demeanor and don't believe what he tells you:

 

[pgpoultry]

The fox trap looks good. A normally wildlife-loving vegetarian who takes in any wounded or disadvantaged creature, blind sheep, aggressive pygmy billy goat, endless wild birds that are injured.....I have an uncontrollable urge to 'get my own back' on this pretty but vicious little killer!

Sandie

 

[aprophet]

Quote:
it appears Scotland still uses snares they work well, they are much lighter then traps easier to walk in to where I work. I use them on beaver mostly and usually in connection with some sort of damage complaint.

http://www.moorlandscotland.org.uk/documents/SnaringinScotland.pdf

 

[pgpoultry]

I'm looking into traps and snares now and going to get something to deal with him/her.

On a brighter note my Brahma boy (still indoors and lapping up the attention) is starting to eat and drink and his wounds are looking dry and clean. I heard a horrible whirring sound this morning which was his best attempt at crowing, so I think he is on the mend.

I am SO proud of him. Having roosters definitely has its positive side. I like their crowing too.

Sandie