Vixen attack

[Norfolkchickens]

Morning.

2 nights ago I lost two mother hens (one free range with 16 chicks, one in brooder with 6) I have found small feather piles and a trail from both locations. The free range hen had her nest in the garden near the house I could see the Bush from my bedroom. We have only managed to find 2 chicks which is the most baffling thing to me (no chirping from anywhere) also my ducks and chicken coop were untouched. Anyone have any suggestions on finding/trapping this menace?? Many thanks

 

[hayley3]

So sorry, that is horrible.
Where was the brooder? Where was the ducks?
It could be anything that took them, especially the chicks since they are so small.
You cannot leave birds out overnight because something will eat them.

 

[centrarchid]

Odds are the fox is coming in every night at about the same time. The chicks are usually toast once the mother is taken because they keep cheeping once separated from her in the darkness. To combat the problem with free-range broodies I do two things, first cover the broodies with pens, and have free-range dogs that can patrol the area. I have to have both to work where broodies can be kept outside. I have also been going the extra mile getting hens to roost at the very least in the middle of pen, ideally in some sort of container that makes so the fox cannot see the hen and her brood. Better yet is to have the broody roost up as quickly as the chicks can do it. See thread linked below. Method works well enough that I will be doing for all the broodies kept outside this year. I have not had a snake take any chicks or eggs either.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ing-easier-from-window.1364258/#post-22480129

Thus far this year I lost a broody hen with a single chick and a stag to a fox that still comes in every night. I have a trap foot-hold trap out with a bait station, but have not uncovered trap to catch fox because other methods described are working. I can protect broodies well enough, but once juvenile chickens are brought out of barn, the fox / vixen culling will begin.

It takes a little doing, that can be fun in itself, where you get the birds to roost where you want them too even, if on the ground with chicks.

 

[Norfolkchickens]

Thankyou both!
It was definitely a fox as I traced where one of the hens was taken off the property. I was foolish in thinking my dogs urine scent would keep them away but clearly Cubs needed feeding. Many thanks central for your advice! I have got the local gamekeeper helping and hopefully revenge should be had. So i was lucky to even manage to find 2 chicks really? Has been a horrible eye opener, you think they're safe being as they have spent so long outside then out of nowhere...........