Game Over, 8 years, 100 chooks Foxes win

[mickk]

Well thats it, no more. The last 6 of a hundred over the journey, more than half raised from eggs, are gone.

The fox came, twice, nothing I could do. They slept on a rail in a locked coop, but the foxes scare them off the rail into the yard I suspect.
The poor Rooster was the firs to go, I assume it took it on. Interesting I found part of a leg, the spur had clearly been chewed off. So the foxes know what they are.

All were white chooks but I forgot about the lone survivor, the black chook.
Maybe it got missed because it was dark? All I can think of or its too smart to get off the rail. So its lonely, its never cared for me. When I feed it it picks up sticks and leaves to show me. Poor thing has PTSD.
Its trying to crow like a Rooster in the mornings. I swear its top claw is growing.
I think its changing sex.

Anyway, thats it, never again, its been fun. Nothing like that day when you check the hen and all these little black eyes look back at you.

If I was to do it all again, I would have three in a cage, no way in or out other than me. But thats cruel. It would be 300 square feet, but they would stare through the wire like a prisoner and that defeats the point of backyard chooks.

Farewell, to all, be kind to your chickens and they will be kind to you.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

So sorry for your losses.

 

[McChooky]

Well thats it, no more. The last 6 of a hundred over the journey, more than half raised from eggs, are gone.

The fox came, twice, nothing I could do. They slept on a rail in a locked coop, but the foxes scare them off the rail into the yard I suspect.
The poor Rooster was the firs to go, I assume it took it on. Interesting I found part of a leg, the spur had clearly been chewed off. So the foxes know what they are.

All were white chooks but I forgot about the lone survivor, the black chook.
Maybe it got missed because it was dark? All I can think of or its too smart to get off the rail. So its lonely, its never cared for me. When I feed it it picks up sticks and leaves to show me. Poor thing has PTSD.
Its trying to crow like a Rooster in the mornings. I swear its top claw is growing.
I think its changing sex.

Anyway, thats it, never again, its been fun. Nothing like that day when you check the hen and all these little black eyes look back at you.

If I was to do it all again, I would have three in a cage, no way in or out other than me. But thats cruel. It would be 300 square feet, but they would stare through the wire like a prisoner and that defeats the point of backyard chooks.

Sorry for your loss! I suggest you consider finding your remaining hen a new home or get her a few friends! Chickens are social creatures and need companionship. Chickens don't mind being locked in a coop and run that's roomy provided they have everything they need.(safety being number one)

 

[PatriciafromCO]

My heart to you. I've had great breeds of dogs over the years that kept preditors away just by being present and barking. GSD, Corso, currently Presa's, and my LGDs so there many breeds to fit an individuals preference for owning a dog.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

All were white chooks but I forgot about the lone survivor, the black chook. Maybe it got missed because it was dark?

Camoflage really helps tremendously with predation

If you ever want to try chickens again I would recommend free-ranging black Sumatra with an outdoor dog as well. I have an active fox den on my land along with my free-range chickens that sleep in trees

Sorry for your loss. This is a learning experience for all of us

 

[mickk]

Well here we are 15 months later. The remaining black chook turned into a Rooster. It looks like a Hen. It began a very weak call that sounds like its being strangled, it brings me sticks when I give it treats. Its happy enough I suppose by itself, its got half an acre of good cover to run around in. Plenty of wild birds to look at, it doesnt hang around the gate, so it must be happy.

 

[McChooky]

Well here we are 15 months later. The remaining black chook turned into a Rooster. It looks like a Hen. It began a very weak call that sounds like its being strangled, it brings me sticks when I give it treats. Its happy enough I suppose by itself, its got half an acre of good cover to run around in. Plenty of wild birds to look at, it doesnt hang around the gate, so it must be happy.

Thanks for the update! Glad Mr Fox hasn't been back and got the black one! I highly recommend you get some flighty chickens that are hard to catch if you have a predator problem.A couple of trained dogs wouldn't hurt either if you decide to raise chickens again.I've free ranged chickens for years now and only lost 2 thanks to my dogs!Best of luck to ya!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Hi, I'm really glad to see you again!
Brown Leghorns might work well for you. Their mottled brown pattern is good camouflage. They are alert, quick and flighty. I never lost one to a predator, while I did lose several EE to raccoons until I plugged the holes. They lay white eggs prolifically but don't typically go broody. I wish you well.

PS - I won't have a white bird in my flock. They just don't last, between the coyotes and hawks. My dogs do a pretty good job of keeping coyotes away. We have a noisy little Sheltie, and a Golden retriever and an Aussie that don't say much at all. They don't actively protect the birds, but they poop around the perimeter and it's essentially the same thing. Coyotes stay away for the most part.

 

[McChooky]

Hi, I'm really glad to see you again!
Brown Leghorns might work well for you. Their mottled brown pattern is good camouflage. They are alert, quick and flighty. I never lost one to a predator, while I did lose several EE to raccoons until I plugged the holes. They lay white eggs prolifically but don't typically go broody. I wish you well.

PS - I won't have a white bird in my flock. They just don't last, between the coyotes and hawks. My dogs do a pretty good job of keeping coyotes away. We have a noisy little Sheltie, and a Golden retriever and an Aussie that don't say much at all. They don't actively protect the birds, but they poop around the perimeter and it's essentially the same thing. Coyotes stay away for the most part.

My Basset goes ballistic when he sees anything around the chicken house even a stray cat. He's a good deterrent