Fox attack... :(

[tinyomelette]

I think a fox got in last night. I found three quail dead and one alive outside the cage (and a big ol big hole in a weak spot in the net). The rest are missing. Is there any hope that any survivors might return to my back yard or should I just pack up and get some fish instead... pretty heartbroken right now, not going to lie

 

[CCUK]

I'm sorry to hear this. It's always sad when we lose our animals. I wouldn't give up but that's up to you. If you start over make a more secure run for them. Learn where the weak spots are and reinforce it with wire mesh. Quail are lovely birds.

 

[Peeperscreepers]

I dont know anything about quail but I'm sorry this happened to you. Dont give up though...maybe reinforce weak spots or add electricity to fence if that's ok to so with quail..I bet you are heartbroken, I would be too. I hope some return, maybe go look around for them incase they got scared and fled. I'm so sorry.

 

[mdees88]

They likely will return if there are any survivors. Leave food and water out and some might come back. I've had a couple get loose on me and they came back the next day. I'm assuming you keep them on the ground in an aviary setting. I would replace any netting near the ground with 1/2" hardware cloth (maybe a 3' wide roll).

 

[JoeQ]

A good friend of mine had something get into his pen, whatever it was, a fox or coon killed a few but several flew away and returned the next day, he was amazed. He seems to think it was the male was continuously calling for them, don't give up just yet and learn from your mistake, just reinforce some questionable areas and start over, just yesterday i had a coon reach in my new pen and tear the legs off four of my birds, obviously killing them, i'm going to get wire and lattice and enclose the bottom on the pen and move on!!!! Best of luck to you and keep on pushing forward, quail are too relaxing and enjoyable for me to give up on them from one issue!

 

[Duckstail]

Sorry to hear this!!!

 

[JoeQ]

This is what my trail cam picked up the day after I lost the legs of for birds and subsequently lost the birds! This photo was taken after I put the lattice up and took a couple other measures to secure the pen!

 

[Peeperscreepers]

Wow! Is it standing next to a trap? I hear they are smart. Everybody that says a predator will be back after it finds a easy food source is spot on. It came back quick too.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Hardware cloth is fox-proof. Cover the entire pen in that and they won't be able to get in.

 

[JoeQ]

Yep! Right next to a baited trap!! The birds are surrounded by hardware cloth. It’s been a week or so and no other issues or signs of anything trying to get in, Birds seem relaxed and acting normal, an egg a day from each hen!