Fox...sigh.

[CarolinaCrazy]

I went out for 30 minutes this morning about 8:30 and came home to find my flock of four 12 week old pullets missing. They were free-ranging on my wooded 1 acre lot in the heart of Chapel Hill NC. Long story short as I was looking down the hill, I saw a red fox running away. Looks like s/he and her pack got 3 of them cleanly, and left one survivor with a good flesh wound. We found her (Kevin) under a bush and she is in shock for sure. I can't really tell how serious the wound is but she is not moving around and is favoring that wing. I cant find any broken bones and there's no major bleeding. Just what I think might be scratches or puncture on her back under her wing. I am going to keep an eye on here for 24 hours and see if she improves. I hope she pulls through with some rest.

This was my very first set of chickens, so I am dealing with all the emotions and wonder if I should bother. But we were having fun watching them grow up, and are invested in the coop and all the extras. So I expect we'll come thru and get a couple more.

So should I go ahead and replace the lost ones now - I've got 4-5 months of warm weather ahead here in NC - or should I just wait til next year?

I think I will have to fence in a portion of the yard to provide more protection, especially since the fox now knows there's a hen house nearby.

Really bummed and frustrated.

Thanks for 'listening'.

cc

 

[JackE]

Been there, done that (Twice, 16 lost), didn't like it a bit. I have an active fox problem around here too. Both incidents were daylight attacks. My daughter had the bad luck to arrive home first, after both attacks. The answer for me was electrified poultry netting, from Premier. I started with 300', liked it so much I bought 350' more. It's very easy to set up and move if you want. You can power it with household electric, or go with solar. You can surround a lot larger area, for far less $$, than building a wood framed, hardware clothed "Run". The fox, and a whole host of other preds are still around, but I've gone without another loss for 4yrs.

 

[iwiw60]

Quote: Be sure to treat those wounds with either Vetericyn Spray or at the very least Neosporin (just make SURE it has no "caine" in it). You should keep her separated so she can recoup keeping water and feed near her...such a shame...darn foxes....scumbags for sure!

 

[NEChickenNoob]

1st - I am sorry for your loss.
2nd - Go Heels!
3rd - I would recommend you get more. Chickens are flock birds and always do better with more than one. Three or more from what I have been told by a couple local farmers up here. You can sometimes buy older pullets but they are more expensive. You could even look at getting a couple of free roosters, eat one or give away next year and replenish your flock. Hope your chook gets better.