Mother hen chases away fox while rooster hides

[Njroosters]

I have a flock of 20 birds surrounded by a 6 foot fence with a 2 foot buried wire barrier. I thought they were reasonably protected from fox. However, one athletic one jumped the 6 foot fence and started killing the birds. My cream legbar rooster hid behind a Bush and continued to eat insects..... our savoir... a mama dominique protecting her 6 chicks. She chased him around and around for 30 seconds and drove the fox out of the yard.

I gave my whimp rooster to a friend the next day!

 

[Trish1974]

I want that hen! I had a close call with a fox this morning. Luckily I saw it in the security camera. All the hens stood in a circle squawking while my big bad 3 and 1/2 to 4 lb rooster had his chest up against the fence like he was telling the fox to "bring it on"! I ran out there with the rifle, had the crosshairs right between his eyes, shot, but yet he still ran off! I know my scope is dialed in. I just don't get it!

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

I have a rooster that chases neighbor hood dogs and enjoys play fighting our dog. I’d say he’s had a few encounters with foxes.
Good mother hen you got there !

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I know my scope is dialed in. I just don't get it!

Practice with your targets after doing some jumping jacks... so you are in a real life situation... heavy breathing, and maybe some adrenaline. Be sure not to jerk the trigger. Hitting targets is a bit harder when you are excited.

I wonder.. how old was that cream legbar roo? He would have gone to my freezer the next day... not somewhere else he can hide.

 

[mymilliefleur]

That's the kind of hen you want to keep around!
I used to have Legbars (note the past tense) they were definitely not the sharpest tacks in the coop.
You may want to put an electric wire around the top on the fence to keep the fox from jumping/climbing over in the future.

 

[llombardo]

Coyote rollers might help with the top of the fence

 

[Njroosters]

Thanks for the roller and hot wire suggestions. I'm trying to run some 12 gauge copper wire (not charged) a few inches above the railings. They say that it will prevent climbers from getting a confident foothold and maybe give a little more height to block a jump. If that doesnt work, I'll run current through it. Additionally, it is nearly invisible so it won't ruin the aesthetics of the property.

The rollers seems like a very clever idea and would most likely do the job but I have a stained wood fence and there is no way my wife would let me to it with metal rollers she would rather get rid of the chickens if it came to that or not let them free range.

 

[Hensndoes]

Power to the broody!

 

[drumstick diva]

Hen power !!

 

[centrarchid]

Rooster eating during such an event? yeh