Lost 10 hens today, first loss, do you think fox?

[jtbrown]

We searched the area pretty well yesterday and our dog was with us (He had been in the house at time of attack), sniffed every feather pile and there were no bodies anywhere in site. He (the dog) is the first one to bring up a partially decaying leg from deer kill piles, so I believe he would have brought it up to us.

Also, TonySorrento, I truly appreciate your apology, I was a little taken aback last night with how it came off (feeling a little wounded from the entire event with the girls yesterday). So, I do accept gratefully. I looked at your page to see if that was "typical" of your posts (the one with your coop) and I see it is not. By the way, nice coop and set up. I too struggled with the free range issue, then decided to "go for it." I think it was still right decision. However, while I am at work today, my girls are penned up until my husband gets home and he will let them into their more secure run. I couldn't bear having that happen again immediately. One of us is home then for next 5 days to keep an eye on things.

I still think it appears as though fox the mostly likely culprit. Just personnally I want to say in some ways, I am glad the bodies were eaten (or taken and eaten or to be eaten). While I plan on erradicating the predator I am glad I didn't have mangled chicken bodies to dispose of. May sound 'head in the sand,' but I fully believe I know what happened to them (or at least know they are no longer my birds) and therefore am glad not to have to clean up the gore.

Any other suggestions gladly accepted. Thanks Ivan3 for the insight last night, the duo hunting scenario makes sense.

 

[Oregon Blues]

That many birds dead at once, I suspect it was dogs.

With that many killed at one time, I also suspect you can look forward to losing a lot more of your "happy" hens and very soon.

 

[CorinneP]

Weasles usually leave some remains .. some times they look tlike they have been sucked dry .. or just part of a head .. not pretty .. I am Very Sorry For your Loss ..

 

[GoChick]

That many birds dead at once, I suspect it was dogs.

With that many killed at one time, I also suspect you can look forward to losing a lot more of your "happy" hens and very soon.

Dogs would have left the carcasses. probably fox or coyote.

 

[CorinneP]

When Chickens are allowed to really Free range not just in a runner it gives them so much more opportunity to get more worms and Bugs.. This extra protein and yummy bugs makes for a Richer Yolk . Most People can definitely tell the difference in taste. I keep Two Coops now one is enclosed for special Chickens and what I call purpose Chickens .. Breeding .. Meet etc. And I have Free Range Chickens That I am adding to constantly that I collect Eggs for sale .. All My customers say they can most definitely tell the difference. I Do hear what you are saying though If you can not risk the possibility of losing them Closed pens are better .

 

[tellynpeep]

Wow, I am SO sorry to hear about this loss. I recently had two episodes like this. The first I think was the neighbor dogs, but the second I'm pretty sure was fox. The surviving birds all had bite wounds on their backs too small to be coyote. I found only one dead intact bird, and several feather piles in the woods. Two chickens (including my rooster) came home the next morning. Since then I have kept the chickens (what are left...) penned up but my rooster somehow escaped on Monday. He was missing when I got home from work Monday evening. My great dog tracked him to a site 150 yards in the woods, where he was buried under some pine needles, missing his head.

I set up the trail cam on the burial site that night, and it was visited by both fox AND coyote, so I really am not sure what got him. But the fox has been here a lot lately. I fear they are weaning a litter and my chickens will not be safe outside for a long time.

And I agree about free-ranging: The eggs taste better, the chickens are happier, and I love having them outside running around the yard and woods. I have to look for this fox den. But am not sure what I will do if I find it...

Again, sorry for your loss. I fully sympathize.

 

[TonySorrento]

See that would kill me ... I don't do good when death doesn't come at my hands

I thought about free ranging my birds only when I can supervise them ... but then I worry about them going on strike when I don't .... lol

 

[Lacrystol]

I'm having a Fox problem, he came into the yard yesterday and grabbed one of my ducks and ran off with it. My husband saw it and tried to run after it yelling at it but that fox was long gone. So I got my Jack Russel terrier to see if we could track it down but he lost the scent. So our Little sly fox is still out there and I exspect him to come back but not for at least a week. They are very brave and bold to come out during the day and snatch up duck. They didn't touch the chickens and I have more chickens then ducks.. but I exspect it to try and kill all my ducks then go after the chickens. THIS IS WAR..... Not sure what we can do about our fox problem because it seems like he's got this down. I'm sure this isn't the first time he has done this since I used to have 4 ducks and now I'm down to one..

 

[jtbrown]

Yesterday, I felt brave and "farmer like," this kind of thing happens, its okay, etc.

Today, I am sad and mad. I checked on my girls, and since all 10 were large fowl that I lost, my coop looks bare. I have plenty of room for the ones I have, might have been over once all of my 4-8 week olds grow out. But since my loss, have room for everyone to stretch out. But ouch. I agree this is war. Thanks for the responses. I am sorry for those of you who also had losses.

 

[Lacrystol]

I see your in Ohio, what kind of chicks did you have, I have silkies, and just had baby Phoenix's, they are just a week old if your interested we could talk about it..