Lost chickens to a fox :(

[strawberryfields]

I am so sorry for your loss.

I lost quite a few of my birds to foxes and coyote here year. I would occasionally lose a bird from time to time in the past. I knew we had a fox issue, I see them quite often. But as long as the birds would stay inside the horses pasture and around the yard, I was not having problems.

I had an "aviary" set up for my exotic birds (peacocks, pheasants, etc.) but now the chickens reside in that and this has been a win win situation.

I dug a trench all around (so predators cannot dig under) about two feet, and then filled it with rock (great use of all those extra rocks we had here, haha). The whole enclosure is covered with poultry mesh. It stands about twelve feet high and has been holding up really well, and the only pest I have thus far had issues with are mice.

Just some ideas... Wishing you luck.

 

[geebs]

I think if a fox attacked your bird... he would take it with him when he left... I would think dog...Examine the bird for teeth marks on the breast... I can give you clues to the jaw size... I have disturbed coyotes my pen and they take the kill....granted the birds werent still flapping... they had already been subdued. I would think about dog around the area. They take what they need... Either way trap it if you can... but I would still think dog and foxes do the bulk of their hunting at night or dawn. They are the thief in the night that you just find a chicken "missing" The good news is.. if it is a dog it is much easier to deal with.