Fox attack

[wamtazlady]

Shooting the offending fox will not help so shot guns are worthless. Within a few months another fox will have found and taken over the dead one's territory. You'd lose several chickens before you realized there was yet another fox.

 

[Bvangorp]

Have the same issue. Ate 6 of my chickens. Ran out and missed my kick on its butt. My dog got after it. But it came back with us both standing there. (Did not look rabid). I would love more ways to deter it. The run is completely secure and I lock them at night.

My guess is these smaller chicks popped out the side of the fence and once they got free the fox snatched them up.

 

[linguini]

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

So sorry for your loss - were you able to figure out how the fox got into the run?

Here is post that really helps! I am gradually re-enforcing my run (it's a big job, my run perimeter is quite large for a not-too-handy couple.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...hardware-cloth-apron-or.1508792/post-25483653

 

[Neffer1167]

Have the same issue. Ate 6 of my chickens. Ran out and missed my kick on its butt. My dog got after it. But it came back with us both standing there. (Did not look rabid). I would love more ways to deter it. The run is completely secure and I lock them at night.

My guess is these smaller chicks popped out the side of the fence and once they got free the fox snatched them up.

Oh i'm sorry to hear that. I have stopped letting my chickens and ducks free range and have put that heavy metal wire up everywhere. They are safe but they so want to be outside. Safety first though. Did see the fox a couple more times but no visible attempts at getting in the run.

 

[Neffer1167]

So sorry for your loss - were you able to figure out how the fox got into the run?

Here is post that really helps! I am gradually re-enforcing my run (it's a big job, my run perimeter is quite large for a not-too-handy couple.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...hardware-cloth-apron-or.1508792/post-25483653

the fox did not get into the run....they were free ranging. She has been back several times but cannot or is not trying hard enough to get them in their run. At night, they get locked up in houses that he/she could not get into at all. Thanks for your help

 

[Hensintexas]

That's a ridiculous assertion.

I thought it was funny.

 

[McChooky]

Bob cats, foxes, coyotes,dogs,raccoons and weasels can cause big losses. Free ranging doesn't come without risks.Dogs are a tremendous help if trained.