Just had our first loss...

[ninabeast]

We've given it a lot of thought. My DH found a fox hole in the woods where the trail of feathers ended, but foxes don't den in the summer. They must have just dived in there to hide. Thing is, there is no WAY they've been living there. Our girls have been using that same bit of forest as their clubhouse for months. I think that forest is the foxes' winter den, and their summer hangout must have been flooded out by Irene (we have a lot of flooding here). They probably went Sunday without eating, and so were trying some new routes. Now that they've had success here, they'll be back, of course.

So, short, supervised free ranging for a while, at least until we get our new Great Dane, who we're hoping to train up as a chicken guard dog. And we plan to ruin their winter home for them. I've heard of people filling gopher holes with rocks and/or dog poop to ruin it for them. Anyone know if this would work for foxes?

I feel so badly for my remaining girls. They absolutely remember what happened.

 

[Fowl_Odor002]

I know how it feels.
I lost one of my Australorp pullets to a predator just last week.
My wife's brother-in-law lost his entire flock to a predator.

The only thing you can do is prepare, because they will be back for more.

 

[GA_in_GA]

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Yep, that is what I do. Supervised free range when I can be in the yard with them. Fortunately, that is most evenings and Saturday mornings. My question: is it really free range this way?

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Sorry for your loss.

We have foxes that visit during the daylight - brazen!

 

[ninabeast]

Yes, this happened around 5pm. I think I am safe until mid-afternoon, but the girls are happy with a few short, chaperoned free range sessions today. They are staying very close to their run. With the addition of a new dog to our family, filling in the fox holes, a new fence, and maybe some electrical fencing as well, we might be able to get free ranging back some day. I really miss seeing them out on the lawn, but I have to place their safety as my first priority.