Fox

[BunnyBelle]

This afternoon I had my 12 hens and 3 ducks out free ranging in our fenced in yard. I had not checked on them for about an hour. The ducks were making all kinds of noise so I went out on the porch to find out what they were doing. There was a fox on the outside of our fence peering in. I was able to scare him away with a yell. I went out and put everyone in their runs but I'm missing one hen

So sad. This was our second lady that died this week. The other one just died and we aren't sure why. Anyway, I don't mean to sound naive but would a fox grab a hen, leave and come back that quickly? It was literally an hour from the last time I checked on them. Or could it be an owl grabbed her. There were no signs of a struggle and no blood anywhere. I feel so bad. My ladies love to roam our yard but now I'm so worried to let them.

 

[Evermore Ranch]

We have had a fox get 4 in little over an hour. they normally leave a feather patch somewhere. Good luck cause he will be back. The first summer we had our fox trouble i bet we lost nearly 50 birds before we finally fixed the problem. It was apparently a whole litter and mom. I think she taught them to hunt here. with new fence and a few good dogs within the fence we have not been hit by the fox since (although we see them pass through the pasture less than 50 foot from our fence).

 

[BunnyBelle]

I guess we will just have to build a bigger run and only let them out to free roam when we or our dogs are out there. I'm considering getting a big farm dog. My dogs won't stay out if we aren't out there

They will sit at the door and cry, the big babies. What kind of dogs did you get?