Lost 6 today, totally heartbroken..I let them down :(

[chicmom]

Hey now, don't be so hard on yourself, because you didn't know this could happen, after all, it's the first time a fox ever came around your place.

Hugs to you and I hope you guys can trap that fox.

Sharon

 

[ChooksChick]

You might also get a bit of hot wire going around your coop for a deterrent. I use a baby monitor on my coop, even though I build for bear and all of the wire on my coops is 1/2" woven hardware cloth. The receiver is turned down very low and only a predator would make them noisy enough to wake me.

Paranoid? Yup.

 

[Game Bird Guy]

I'mso sorry to hear this. I too have lost a few birds in the last few days. Like everyone else said, put it out of your mind and you'll be fine.

 

[lbartsch]

I'm so sorry for your loss. You sound like a great chicken mommy. Don't be too hard on yourself please.

 

[Gmsg01]

Quote:
I wouldn't want someone to continue to blame themselves, because no matter what you do, things will happen. But to blame a wild carnivore for hunting prey? Sure we want them not to eat our chickens, but they are animals looking for a meal. They certainly aren't out to purposely make our lives difficult! (even when they do:/)

 

[dandydoodle]

I am nervous everytime I put my girls out to free range. I am so sorry.

 

[suki'smom]

I am so sorry for your loss. This time of year there are a lot of attacks by foxes simply because this is when the parent foxes kick their sons out of the den and the territory (they usually keep the girls around to help with next years kits). I would not be surprised at all if it were a pair of young males just recently kicked out and aren't able to rely on mom and pop for meals anymore. Unfortunately they will continue to come back until all your chickens are gone or until you shoot or relocate them.

It seems to me that my own foxes keep the wild ones out of the yard but unfortunately their smell and presence brings in the occasional coyote (coyote will actively hunt/kill/eat foxes).

Again I am so very sorry for your loss. Best wishes *hugs*

 

[eggboy]

Get yourself some traps.

 

[Cetawin]

I am so sorry for your losses and I know how you feel. I have lost several to predators in broad daylight and beat myself up over it. You cannot do that to yourself. You provde the best care, love, safety housing and you allow them to be chickens. Do the best you can and don't blame yourself.

As to it getting easier....no it always hurts just as much because you love them.

 

[LittleMoon]

You should try sitting up at night with a gun, and wait for him to return. My grandpa does that. I hope you get him!