Fox attack this morning

[kimntep]

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I have been wondering the same thing. Thanks for asking

DH, DD, DS, DW, etc. Darling or Dear husband, daughter, son, wife..yada, yada..just saves a little typing!

 

[NHchicks]

Looks like there have been several of us suffering from foxes.

jjthink, I think she was too far gone. She looked like she was on death's door, I couldn't take it anymore.

My whole flock is nervous. Everytime they hear something now, they all stop dead in their tracks and remain motionless for about 10 minutes, even the chicks. It's amazing. I'm nervous too. The dog is nervous. She's on high alert, barking at every bawk.

Is there a way to trap the foxes in Have-a-Heart traps? Of course, why would they go into a trap when there are easy pickings right there in the field.

Jeesh, I don't know if I have the stomach for this. I had 2 blissful years thinking no predator would ever get past my dog.

 

[jjthink]

I'm so sorry for her, for you, and for all your (understandably) nervous nellies (Rescue Remedy in their water may help).

JJ

 

[bryan99705]

Remember fox typically run in pairs so be ready to take out two.

 

[NHchicks]

They run in pairs? UGH.

Today Mr. Fox did not show up at our house like he did the last 2 days. I spent a lot of time on sentry duty, and made the dog stay outside all day too. Since he didn't come today, I'll have to be doubly checking tomorrow, because he might be hungry. One of my dim hopes is that he will be depleting someone else's pets somewhere and they'll do the dirty deed.

Is there a scent that keeps foxes away - some kind of urine or something? Some kind of animal scent you can buy?

 

[Chickmate]

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Yes, I think I heard human urine keeps them away. Tell DH to go pee around the chicken coop!

Seriously, I just lost seven free range chickens last week to a fox. She got one of my big BR roos, a Black Copper Marans juvenile roo and five hens. Also have an injured BR roo and two injured hens. All the injured are doing very well now and are going to make it OK. They loved free ranging so much, but I can't bring myself to let them out again. I'm sure she is out there in the woods, watching and waiting for me to make a mistake. They will be locked in the run for a looooong time.

 

[aprophet]

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[NHchicks]

Thank you, I will look for those traps online. I did hear that maybe human urine would help keep foxes away - I wonder if dog urine works too, since the dog is a fox chaser. BTW, the fox is a gray (grey?) fox.

It's been 2 days now and Mr. Fox has not been back. Makes me nervous that maybe he's busy planning his next method of attack. I'm only here half a day tomorrow and then my teen will take care of the chickens until I get back Sunday. It will be nerve wracking being away and I really hope nothing happens while I'm gone.

Today, amazingly, my 10 yr. old popped in the movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox" which I love, but it sure does portray how foxes love to steal chickens.