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The run covers >1/2 acre.....the area they actually roost is approximately 12' x 18'. Agreed, my fiance shouldn't have put the chickens into the area until he was done with the roosting area. It's almost completely closed in. He's actually working on it now. However; it should be noted, the foxes have killed during the night & EARLY IN THE AM after the chickens were down off their roost. So, yes, closing in the roost completely will help with the problem.....but until we are able to lay some electrical wire around the outside pen.....we still might have issues. I think the pond, which is in the encloser, is contributing to the problem as well.
I have lost some of my own chickens recently, also. A weasel was tunneling in away from our barn....coming up under the barn....and into the chicken runs & through the chicken door to kill my chicks at night. So, it seems creating a predator proof pen is quite a science. We have fencing buried all along the run (for my chickens), and have the barn boarded up all the way around.....but yet.....I still lost several chicks.
We have had chickens >2y now, and haven't experienced any issues with predators until the last week or so. Some may think it's cruel to kill animals. I agree. However; we have a PACK of foxes, and they are slaughtering our flock. It is our responsiblity to provide a safe area for our chickens. We understand that. We are doing all we can do at the present. We work during the day, so only have a few hours after work to work on the coops. What upsets me the most about the situation is, I have found many, many chickens killed for no apparant reason. Just for the sport of it. I would be much more understanding and sympathetic if the foxes were just killing to eat. But, they are not. Therefore; we will SHOOT TO KILL. There will be no trapping & rehoming. I will NOT take our problems and dump them off on someone else........which is what happens when you rehome these predators. The traps we have set are foot traps.
Thank goodness it's friday. Party at my house tonight. Fiance has several of his hunting buddies coming over. Hopefully, this problem will be resolved TONIGHT. Then, maybe we can move on with the <20 that are left in assuring they have a safe area to roost at night.
If a predator wants to get in bad enough.................................he WILL find a way. Regardless of how predator proof you think your pen/run/coop is.
To all those who have lost their dearly, beloved chickens to predators........I'm right there with you........People just can't understand the loss unless they have suffered it themselves. It's completly and utterly devestating. ***May all my babies & Herceles rest in peace**** We are currently searching for a Akbash or Maremma. We are willing to spend $1,000 if that is what it's gonna take to ensure the safety of our poultry. I let my BTW japs & grown flock of 4 roam the yard each and every day. Having chickens cooped up is no life. They deserve to be able to dig, dust, chase bugs and have freedom. So, a dog is probably going to be the best answer (after ensuring the coops are predator proof) for absolute assurance our chickens will be safe..
