On Friday afternoon, at 3:00 pm, my chickens sounded the alarm for the first time. We have had free range chickens before, as well as ducks, with no issues. But that afternoon, I was at my computer and heard the commotion, and went running outside. I saw the thief running across the back of the field, so I grabbed a very large stick (actually a broken shovel handle) and chased it as far as I could before running into a heavily forested area. My immediate reaction was "dog," but when I clued in to what was going on, I quickly turned my thoughts to "fox." But, in my mind, the colour was all wrong. Red Foxes are common in my area (Ontario, Canada), but this was more of a grey/brown/black mix with a hint of red scattered throughout.
Whatever it was, it got away with 3 of my 10 week old ameraucaunas. I was visibly shaken and quickly rounded everyone up and locked them away.
The following day, I let the crew out, and there were no issues. At that point, I thought it was a fluke and fingers crossed that he/she had moved on.
However, yesterday at 1:00 pm, both my husband and I were at the coop, and we turned our backs for no more than 2-3 minutes, and the alarm was sounded again. This time, hubby went running off into the forest chasing the same animal that I had described. Sadly, he/she got away with one grown hen (Buff Orpington) and my only full grown roo!! Again, our minds went to Fox, but I can't wrap my head around the colour. The only explanation that I could come up with is that it is a Grey Fox (not entirely common in my area, but not impossible either).
The chickens are now in their enclosed run (and NOT happy about it), but I still have ducks on the pond and I'm afraid that if it comes back and doesn't find any chickens, it's headed for the ducks. I have three full grown Pekins (2 ducks/1 drake), and 4 mucovies that are 6 weeks old (1 duck/3 drake). I have to protect them. I am borrowing a trap from my neighbour (a live cage, not a foot trap) to set tonight before it comes back tomorrow for another meal, but I'm starting to get nervous that it's actually a coyote (again, common in these parts).
I'm new to rural life and have never encountered either animal -- there was a fox sighted about 4-5 miles from my place, so I know they are here. And, I have heard coyotes late at night, so I know they are here as well. But, my fear is that I'll actually catch the darned thing and find out it is a coyote.
I have a Golden Retriever and am now scared to let him out. I also have a house cat that thinks he's an outdoor cat, but has zero street smarts, but he stays clear of the forested area and is brought in at night. But, I also have three kids, so whatever is out there has to be trapped.
Does anyone have any wisdom to impart (aside from packing it in and getting a turtle?) ... by the way, I have a snapping turtle situation that I need to deal with in the pond as well -- that's a whole other can of worms.
My property is not fenced (approx 5 acres), so the option of an LGD isn't one I can entertain at the moment. I do not have a gun (nor do I wish to -- I've never fired a gun in my life!), and I don't have space for any other type of guard animal (donkey, llama, etc.). If I leave the chickens and ducks locked up for a certain amount of time, will it move on? Or will it just return once I let the birds out again? ... I feel so helpless.
Whatever it was, it got away with 3 of my 10 week old ameraucaunas. I was visibly shaken and quickly rounded everyone up and locked them away.
The following day, I let the crew out, and there were no issues. At that point, I thought it was a fluke and fingers crossed that he/she had moved on.
However, yesterday at 1:00 pm, both my husband and I were at the coop, and we turned our backs for no more than 2-3 minutes, and the alarm was sounded again. This time, hubby went running off into the forest chasing the same animal that I had described. Sadly, he/she got away with one grown hen (Buff Orpington) and my only full grown roo!! Again, our minds went to Fox, but I can't wrap my head around the colour. The only explanation that I could come up with is that it is a Grey Fox (not entirely common in my area, but not impossible either).
The chickens are now in their enclosed run (and NOT happy about it), but I still have ducks on the pond and I'm afraid that if it comes back and doesn't find any chickens, it's headed for the ducks. I have three full grown Pekins (2 ducks/1 drake), and 4 mucovies that are 6 weeks old (1 duck/3 drake). I have to protect them. I am borrowing a trap from my neighbour (a live cage, not a foot trap) to set tonight before it comes back tomorrow for another meal, but I'm starting to get nervous that it's actually a coyote (again, common in these parts).
I'm new to rural life and have never encountered either animal -- there was a fox sighted about 4-5 miles from my place, so I know they are here. And, I have heard coyotes late at night, so I know they are here as well. But, my fear is that I'll actually catch the darned thing and find out it is a coyote.
I have a Golden Retriever and am now scared to let him out. I also have a house cat that thinks he's an outdoor cat, but has zero street smarts, but he stays clear of the forested area and is brought in at night. But, I also have three kids, so whatever is out there has to be trapped.
Does anyone have any wisdom to impart (aside from packing it in and getting a turtle?) ... by the way, I have a snapping turtle situation that I need to deal with in the pond as well -- that's a whole other can of worms.
My property is not fenced (approx 5 acres), so the option of an LGD isn't one I can entertain at the moment. I do not have a gun (nor do I wish to -- I've never fired a gun in my life!), and I don't have space for any other type of guard animal (donkey, llama, etc.). If I leave the chickens and ducks locked up for a certain amount of time, will it move on? Or will it just return once I let the birds out again? ... I feel so helpless.
