Fox attack this morning

[crawfordmama]

I was working in my living room this morning when I heard some commotion. I looked out the window and saw my roo high-tailing it across the front yard. I put some shoes on and went outside to do a head count. I saw a fox leaping onto my best girl Betty! I ran toward it and started screaming at it. It darted off into the woods. Four of the girls ran up onto our deck and got to the highest places they could (i.e. the deck rails, grill, and table), except Betty, who ran into a corner of the deck and tried to make herself as small as possible. I picked her up to bring her in the coop, and she felt just like dead weight. I placed the other three in the coop, but was missing two. While I searched around the yard I saw clumps of feathers everywhere. Clearly the fox had chased them from one end to the other. I eventually found Darla in the sunflower patch by the road. Rosie I found later in the rhubarb. Rosie has some minor wounds on her face, comb and wattles. I cleaned her up a bit and had her in the house, but she was so shaken I thought she might be better suited in the coop with everyone else. I've been keeping an eye on her and she seems to be wandering around like a zombie. I'm sure she'll be that way for a couple days. I've tried to soothe them with their favorite treats.

We had been letting the girls free-range for about a year with no incident. I have been cautious about doing so, and I am always home and try to keep a close eye on them. Our luck finally ran out. I'm so thankful I decided to work in my living room rather than my office, which is toward the back of the house. I never would have heard what was happening in time to help Betty. And as for our obnoxious roo who wakes us up at 3:30 every morning, he has secured his residence with us. I'm sure he had a part in defending his girls. I called DH to tell him what happened, and he has decided we will be doing some target practice tonight to prepare for the fox's return. And no more free-ranging.

Phew!

 

[Hoss1975]

Have your weapon ready,locked and loaded because it will be back.

 

[bryan99705]

A good rooster is the first one to the fight....Might buy him his own carton of mealworms for his work. Suggest you lockdown till you either fence and skirt or get some electric fence up as that fox will be back! And he'll keep coming back till you stop him or run out of birds

 

[jjthink]

Electrolytes may help with the trauma they've been through. If you don't have poultry electrolytes, you can spritz some Pedialtye or Gatorade on watermelon or other fun treat and let them have at it. If you have or can get Rescue Remedy (Bach flower remedy) a few drops in their water may help calm them (no downside in any case).

JJ

 

[crawfordmama]

Thanks for your responses. The flock seems to have calmed down, and when I entered the run this evening to check on everyone, they tried to get out. Oh how quickly they forget! I warned my neighbors who all have free-ranging birds. I'm sure it was just a momma looking to feed her babies, but she picked the wrong flock!

 

[juliatapp]

Please tell me, the new girl on the block, what does DH stand for?

 

[NHchicks]

DH stands for Dear Husband.

Yup, had my first fox attack yesterday. Have been trying to nurse the hen along, but upon examination the puncture wounds are deep and she is doing terribly, so I'm just going to have to cull her.

Foxy came back today for a bite out of mama hen's butt, got a lot of her tail feathers until the dog chased it away.

It will probably be back tomorrow and I'll have to stand sentry. My husband is away for the week so he's not here to get the fox, otherwise he would.

A Fox Attack A Day is making me a nervous wreck. When will he/she strike again, and who will he/she take a bite out of this time?

I liked the days when all I had to worry about were hawks.

 

[jjthink]

NH, can you give her pain relief while you're sorting out her situation (maybe you already are)? It's amazing how well they can heal with antibiotic, pain relief and TLC ....though of course a suffering being that doesn't stand a chance should not have to endure. So sorry to hear of the fox attack

JJ

 

[LeezyBeezy]

I lost 4 this spring to a fox, after a year of free-ranging with no problems. One suddenly, (never could figure out what happened to her, until the next incident). Two weeks later, grabbed two more. It was horrifying. I actually chased it off my lawn and then watched it loop around and pick up a gal and run off, leaving my most favorite hen dead in the snow. We put them in their coop for about two weeks. Then let the remaining 3 out to free range. After we went inside for Easter supper, the fox came onto my lawn and grabbed number 4. All we found were feathers!! Then, about a week later, I came home to find the barn full of feathers- the sneaky devil CAME INTO my barn and tried to grab yet another hen, but just got her tail feathers. SIGH. They have been locked up in the coop and run for about a month, only being let out on rainy days (because they stay in the barn anyway). I haven't seen the fox since....

 

[Janie1972]

Quote:
I have been wondering the same thing. Thanks for asking