I should have known yesterday something was around. Our male golden retriever kept barking towards the woods wagging his tail. He normally only barks at squirrels and vultures, never wagging his tail.
Right before dusk last night, the chickens were making a racket- very unusual for them. They were out free ranging, which we usually do for a couple of hours late afternoon. I walked close enough to see them, they weren't running or acting scared, just noisy. I thought maybe some wanted in the run, and were yelling about having to walk to the end of the run. If I had gone out to the other side of the coop and run, I would have seen what husband did when he went to put them to bed. Feathers....lots of feathers.
And then 2 foxes.
Of course it had to be one of our BO's the sweetest ones. I think she probably thought the foxes were our dogs(to a chicken I suppose foxes and golden retrievers could look a lot alike!)
Husband will be out today with the chickens and his shotgun.
What I am wondering about though is electric netting for them. Will a fox jump over it? We really have not had a predator problem at all, but I know there are foxes out there. Probably raccoons too. I just want to be able to leave them out in the run during the day without having to worry about watching them every minute.
I have seen 42" netting, but should I look for taller? Our fence around the run is 6' chicken wire, and the girls don't try to fly out, but I know that would not keep out a fox.
I am new to the idea of electric fencing/netting so any suggestions are appreciated!
Right before dusk last night, the chickens were making a racket- very unusual for them. They were out free ranging, which we usually do for a couple of hours late afternoon. I walked close enough to see them, they weren't running or acting scared, just noisy. I thought maybe some wanted in the run, and were yelling about having to walk to the end of the run. If I had gone out to the other side of the coop and run, I would have seen what husband did when he went to put them to bed. Feathers....lots of feathers.

Of course it had to be one of our BO's the sweetest ones. I think she probably thought the foxes were our dogs(to a chicken I suppose foxes and golden retrievers could look a lot alike!)
Husband will be out today with the chickens and his shotgun.
What I am wondering about though is electric netting for them. Will a fox jump over it? We really have not had a predator problem at all, but I know there are foxes out there. Probably raccoons too. I just want to be able to leave them out in the run during the day without having to worry about watching them every minute.
I have seen 42" netting, but should I look for taller? Our fence around the run is 6' chicken wire, and the girls don't try to fly out, but I know that would not keep out a fox.
I am new to the idea of electric fencing/netting so any suggestions are appreciated!