Fox attack

[Neffer1167]

So I’m seeing a lot of fox attacks on here and I too have been a victim of such. Yesterday morning I saw a fox in the neighbors back yard but after it had already gotten 3 of my 7 chickens and one of my 4 ducks (one of 2 I just got Monday). It was daylight….around 7:30 am. The chickens and the ducks both have separate enclosed runs but are let out during the day into a fenced area to free range but not go too far. I’ve been doing this for 2 years with no issue until now. I understand she’ll keep coming back to try to get them or eventually give up when she can’t. They are super safe at night locked up in their coops that my expert carpenter husband built. I only let them out in their closed in run now during the day. I guess I’m wondering how long I should wait before letting them out in the yard again? I will definitely wait probably at least a month, then only let them out like really late morning til something like 6 pm. Thoughts would be appreciated

 

[nuthatched]

Can you make a hoop coop run? I'm sorry for your loss

 

[SilverBirds]

So sorry for your loss. I'd keep them locked up for a few months.

 

[sandburRanch]

If you can allow them to free range close by 30 -60 minutes before roost time in the evening while you can stand guard . Leave the gates , coop open and they'll find the roost themselves at roost time .

 

[nuthatched]

If you can allow them to free range close by 30 -60 minutes before roost time in the evening while you can stand guard . Leave the gates , coop open and they'll find the roost themselves at roost time .

Being out there won't slow down a desperate predator at all, unfortunately.

 

[SilverBirds]

Being out there won't slow down a desperate predator at all, unfortunately.

Very true. Many people have been outside watching their chickens when a hawk, fox or some other predator barges in and takes off with one of their birds.

 

[sandburRanch]

If you don't own a shot gun and know how to use it you don't need chickens .

 

[wamtazlady]

Electric poultry netting is the only thing I have found that slows down a fox. Otherwise you face the sad fact that free ranging birds are food for predators.

 

[Neffer1167]

If you don't own a shot gun and know how to use it you don't need chickens .

uh yeah that's not helpful. I live on the outskirts of town.....i have an acre but neighbors on all sides, several of which are cops. A shotgun is not going to happen. There will just be no more free ranging for these gals. They have a safe run they can forage around in

 

[Isadora]

If you don't own a shot gun and know how to use it you don't need chickens .

That's a ridiculous assertion.