two chickens killed 01/10

[Ch1ckChick]

On Sunday me and my family were just chilling. Me on my laptop and the adults watching a movie. I called to them and said "I hear chickens clucking in the movie!". I soon realized they were my own. I raced outside and SCREAMED. I saw a fox climb over the fence. Me, my brother, and my dad look for survivors. We find April first in the coop. Later we find Oreo by the windows. But we find Harmony's dead body lying in the snow. We look for other surviving chickens but later find Kit-Kat's dead body on the hill 10 feet away from the coop. We search for Honey's body but can't find her or her body. My father assumes the fox took her and leaves my and my brother. Just as I am about to give up hope my brother yells "I found her by the trash cans". I get ready to see her dead body but I see my brother holding a chicken alive and losing her feathers. I ran as fast as I can towards her and squeeze her so tight if the fox didn't kill I would've. I burst into tears of joy. I was so grateful to have three survivors.Since the fox broke the chickens source of light they get to stay in the house for two days me sleeping by their side. The three sisters will not leave each other yet. And Kit-Kat and Harmony shall be baried next to each other this weekend. Because they were so close they died together and shall always be together. Ever since they were a few weeks old.

 

[waddles99]

Im glad that you had some survivors! Predator attacks are always awful. Have you considered electric fencing to keep foxes out?

 

[Ch1ckChick]

I can't I rent the house

 

[CochinLover1]

I too have had a fox scare. This summer a fox grabbed one of my hens (who miraculously escaped) and we had to give her stitches. Ive lost another barred rock cockerel to the fox (who wasn't so lucky and did not escape). I have done reading on fox attacks and the best way you can reduce the chances of another attack is to switch up the chickens' schedule. Foxes attack chickens after they know a pattern of when you let the chickens out and in. They do not like change and are shy. Let the birds out at a different time every other day to mess with the fox.

 

[chickencoop789]

as mentioned before, the fox will pattern your chickens. what happens is once they find a food source, they will keep coming back until the supply runs out. the first time one comes, it will kill as many chickens as possible, then take their bodies back to its den and burry them to eat later. then once that food runs out, itll be back to the coop for more. was the attack at night or during daylight hours?

 

[chickencoop789]

I too have had a few fox attacks, all of which were between 4 and 6am right after I let the birds out to free range. them fox are smarter than youd think. knew exactly when the birds were gonna be walking out of the coop. you cant underestimate them and let your guard down for a second, cause once you start getting lazy with the predator protection, that's when youll start loosing birds.

 

[CochinLover1]

I too have had a few fox attacks, all of which were between 4 and 6am right after I let the birds out to free range. them fox are smarter than youd think. knew exactly when the birds were gonna be walking out of the coop. you cant underestimate them and let your guard down for a second, cause once you start getting lazy with the predator protection, that's when youll start loosing birds.

I do recommend taking action. Foxes can be a really big issue.

 

[waddles99]

I can't I rent the house

Is there any way that you can install some kind of deterrent? Because aside from a totally closed run, foxes can just climb over something non electrified, especially in winter when food is scarce they will do anything for a meal. What you're telling me is basically that you cannot go through the necessary steps to ensure your chickens a safe home. The only other option i see is shooting it.

 

[chickencoop789]

i say trap it. i dont know what kind of resources you have, but dirt hole set near the coop should do the trick. #1 1/2 coil spring traps will work best. duke brand sells the cheapest ones i have seen for around $8. dig a small angled hole and bed the trap down in front of it. put the bait down in the hole. any fox that is coming for your chickens will stop and check out the set. once trapped you need to find a way to dispatch it. a .22 rimfire will work but a .22 pellet gun makes less of a mess. again, I don't know what kind of resources you have on hand, but this is how I would go about this problem if I was able to.

 

[Ch1ckChick]

They chickens are pretty random and the schedule is all messed up. But pretty much I put them away at 4:30 unless me and Georgia (my extra large dog that loves to kill wildlife but for some reason protects my chickens) let them out random times of the day like like 8:00 AM-4:30 or not at all or 4:30 pm- 6:00 Pm so I guess I don't have a schedule. It's all very random