NY chicken lover!!!!

[boskelli1571]

Hi all
Tonight I jumped up at 845pm realizing that I forgot to shut the coop. Long story short , I stopped a fox from entering my coop by seconds. I did a head count and all were fine.
I noticed the fox running towards my bird feeder as I looked out the window. On top of the snow I could see the fox booking. My question is will fox eat birdseed/ cracked corn?
I’m wondering if the fox has been eating the seeds that fell all winter? The fox knew exactly where it was going. From the feeders , it made a dash to the coop entrance. I was lucky tonight , very lucky! This was my first encounter with a fox and I have to say... I don’t underestimate them!
Would a fox eat birdseed in the dead of winter?
I’m aware of the issues bird feeders bring, I’m just puzzled about the fox right now. I realize how cunning fox are and lots of times unstoppable, now I’m concerned about my other pets. Any feedback would be appreciated

Foxes have an extremely varied diet, so yes, birdseed would be on the menu. Fruit, veggies, insects, small/large rodents etc.
Lucky you for stopping him - I have nightmares about leaving the coop unlatched

 

[barn206]

Foxes have an extremely varied diet, so yes, birdseed would be on the menu. Fruit, veggies, insects, small/large rodents etc.
Lucky you for stopping him - I have nightmares about leaving the coop unlatched

Thank you boskelli. Yes I was pretty much up all night thinking about this! I actually woke up in a panic realizing I forgot to close the coop. The big scare was looking out my window. It’s not going to happen again. I love feeding the birds , esp the crows.. but bears are also coming out of hibernation. Just another thing to consider. ( not forgetting mites as well)
Thanks again

 

[Aria]

Thank you boskelli. Yes I was pretty much up all night thinking about this! I actually woke up in a panic realizing I forgot to close the coop. The big scare was looking out my window. It’s not going to happen again. I love feeding the birds , esp the crows.. but bears are also coming out of hibernation. Just another thing to consider. ( not forgetting mites as well)
Thanks again

 

[Aria]

Thank you boskelli. Yes I was pretty much up all night thinking about this! I actually woke up in a panic realizing I forgot to close the coop. The big scare was looking out my window. It’s not going to happen again. I love feeding the birds , esp the crows.. but bears are also coming out of hibernation. Just another thing to consider. ( not forgetting mites as well)
Thanks again

 

[Aria]

We have our Chicken Yard FENCED and we have a covered run. Our chickens prefer to
go out int the Chicken Yard....it is grass and shrubs and there are places for them to HIDE.

We have had problems....lost most of our Silkies. We leave them in the run....the run does not have grass etc. DARN. They can only go out when we are around. And we do have an automatic door. We have done the best we knew to keep our flock safe.

The seven chickens we now have: 2 Silkies, 3 EE, and 2 Rhode Island red. Our refrigerator is FILLED with beautiful eggs. Regards, Aria

 

[boskelli1571]

Thank you boskelli. Yes I was pretty much up all night thinking about this! I actually woke up in a panic realizing I forgot to close the coop. The big scare was looking out my window. It’s not going to happen again. I love feeding the birds , esp the crows.. but bears are also coming out of hibernation. Just another thing to consider. ( not forgetting mites as well)
Thanks again

I have not had bears bother my chickens, the beehives have been destroyed hopefully they won't bother the chickens.

 

[barn206]

Well I have an enclosed run but since I’m home, I have them free ranging. I really enjoy seeing them do their thing. It’s left me today saying “ you have to be more mindful”.
About the bears.... well let’s cross our fingers. No problem yet except for the garbage pails but I know they will be back soon. Now the garbage is stored in the garage!!! Thanks all for your help
I appreciate you all!!!
Btw I’m brooding 40 babies.. I just learned that overheating a broooder can cause aggression. You learn something new on this forum everyday I’m glad we have it!!!

 

[Gramma Chick]

Thank you boskelli. Yes I was pretty much up all night thinking about this! I actually woke up in a panic realizing I forgot to close the coop. but bears are also coming out of hibernation. Just another thing to consider.Thanks again

Welcome
Great Save You are VERY LUCKY ...
The fox could be eating the bird seed or checking out the bird scent around the feeder .
Bears dont usually bother Coops ...But if they are hungry and smell food ...they might
i think it was Pharm Chick or that had a bear attack and roll her coop ..I think Henicilin also had bees too ?

 

[boskelli1571]

Welcome
Great Save You are VERY LUCKY ...
The fox could be eating the bird seed or checking out the bird scent around the feeder .
Bears dont usually bother Coops ...But if they are hungry and smell food ...they might
i think it was Pharm Chick or that had a bear attack and roll her coop ..I think Henicilin also had bees too ?

Well, there will be no more bees for this year at least. Firstly, it's too late to order any and secondly I have to build an electrified Fort Knox around the hives to keep those buggers out!

 

[Gramma Chick]

Well, there will be no more bees for this year at least. Firstly, it's too late to order any and secondly I have to build an electrified Fort Knox around the hives to keep those buggers out!

There is also a bear matt
https://www.alaskaphotographics.com/blog/2010/05/14/alaska-bush-bear-unwelcome-matt/