Fox attack! 12 chickens dead and abandoned.

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

But the thing is it couldn’t be a dog as there are no strays in the area and everyone else’s dogs remain on their property to guard their own livestock. And how do you explain the fox poop and the fact we had digging on either side. Keep in mind it didn’t have to climb it could have jumped onto the laying box then gone up like stepping stones.

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

Pity... electric fencing? A couple strands of hot wire around the outside of the coop would deter climbers. If they have a paw on the ground and touch the wire- zap! Suddenly your chickens look way less tasty. A non-lethal solution?

We had electric fencing on two sides of our yard and a Great Dane on the other two sides so it couldn’t get in until aa tree branch crushed the fence

 

[Kris5902]

Sounds like you have a good understanding of where the coop’s weakness is... that’s the first step in fixing the problem. Let us know how you and your Dad work out the solution for it.

 

[Kris5902]

We had electric fencing on two sides of our yard and a Great Dane on the other two sides so it couldn’t get in until aa tree branch crushed the fence

that sucks! A lot... most of my spring has been spent dealing with fence repairs because of downed trees too. 600 acres... so many fences in heavily treed places, and if there’s a hole the cows will find it! It’s an ongoing struggle.

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

Evidence!

Digging

Possible entry points (example)

Fox poop

Stepping stones (don’t worry lid to the laying box is usually shut just Dad was clearing out the feathers)

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

that sucks! A lot... most of my spring has been spent dealing with fence repairs because of downed trees too. 600 acres... so many fences in heavily treed places, and if there’s a hole the cows will find it! It’s an ongoing struggle.

I can get that

 

[Kris5902]

Now I’m going to patiently wait to see how many people cry “mink” or “weasel” and tell you to get smaller wire/hardware cloth all the way up your run. It had to be a mink! I mean look at all those 4” gaps!

You will find the entry point and fix it, I am confident... just think like a predator and test for ways in.

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

Now I’m going to patiently wait to see how many people cry “mink” or “weasel” and tell you to get smaller wire/hardware cloth all the way up your run. It had to be a mink! I mean look at all those 4” gaps!

You will find the entry point and fix it, I am confident... just think like a predator and test for ways in.

Lol we don’t have mink or weasel in Australia.

 

[Kris5902]

Lol we don’t have mink or weasel in Australia.

but now there goes my entertaining game...

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

but now there goes my entertaining game...

Lol