Fox attack!

[Well Seasoned]

We had 16 chickens from chicks this past spring. One unsuccessful attack from a fox during the summer. Another attack, guessing a hawk or an eagle due to the lack of evidence of an attack anywhere. Another failed fox attack, where the chicken disappeared into hiding in the woods for 4 hours, the rooster died of natural causes a few weeks ago, then this evening a successful fox attack, in which I chased the fox, chicken in mouth through the thick woods on the property. It made it about 75 yards when it decided to let go or it'll get an azz kickin! Fox are like dogs usually causing death by puncture wounds to critical areas or the mouth will compress the chicken to death, or the most common the death shake, breaking the chicken's neck. This fox had no time for the last one. It let her go and I arrived seconds later, the pullets eyes closed when I arrived. So sad. I brought it out of the woods and taught my son how to process it. It will be rotisserie tomorrow. This particular fox has been a thorn in our sides lately. We tend to allow supervised free range due to the high amount of predators, especially this fox lately. Traps going out tomorrow.

Where it began...... then another 75 yard trail

 

[centrarchid]

Use waste from processed dead bird as bait.

 

[WthrLady]

I wouldn't cook and eat something a fox had it's teeth into.

I would, however, use it to bait the beast in.

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

I hate foxes.....
They are by far the worst predators I am terribly sorry for the loss of your chickens

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

We had 16 chickens from chicks this past spring. One unsuccessful attack from a fox during the summer. Another attack, guessing a hawk or an eagle due to the lack of evidence of an attack anywhere. Another failed fox attack, where the chicken disappeared into hiding in the woods for 4 hours, the rooster died of natural causes a few weeks ago, then this evening a successful fox attack, in which I chased the fox, chicken in mouth through the thick woods on the property. It made it about 75 yards when it decided to let go or it'll get an azz kickin! Fox are like dogs usually causing death by puncture wounds to critical areas or the mouth will compress the chicken to death, or the most common the death shake, breaking the chicken's neck. This fox had no time for the last one. It let her go and I arrived seconds later, the pullets eyes closed when I arrived. So sad. I brought it out of the woods and taught my son how to process it. It will be rotisserie tomorrow. This particular fox has been a thorn in our sides lately. We tend to allow supervised free range due to the high amount of predators, especially this fox lately. Traps going out tomorrow.

Where it began...... then another 75 yard trail


View attachment 1584928

Again so very sorry for your loss
We have had many similar things happen to our birds

 

[Northern.Ontario]

Some chickens can die from a stress induced heart attack. They will show zero signs of puncture wounds or any surficial injuries. That's what happened to a few of my Cornish crosses when a fox slipped under the electric poultry fence (which had been temporarily turned off!!)

 

[Well Seasoned]

Beer can chicken tonight, she was delicious and didn't die in vain. The girls will wake up to 7" of snow.

 

[Backyard Bruce]

Trap the fox and dispatch.

 

[Sirens04]

Sorry for the loss

 

[Abriana]

Trap and kill the fox and then purchase an electric fence to prevent more attacks. I’m sorry for your loss.