Oh Rosie I am so sorry to hear this devastating news. Nature is cruel sometimes. Why couldn't the fox just take what it wanted and leave the rest. You may have to put barbed wire on the top of the enclosure fence or a whole wire netting roof. Hope you and your granddaughter feel happy again soon.
I'm so sorry for you and your family. Is a fox the only predator that could have done it? It's terrible losing even one chicken to a predator, and I can't imagine losing them all at once. Our chickens go into a sturdy wooden coop at night. They go in by themselves at sunset, and I then lock the small door. So they are completely safe at night (except from bear break-ins, but our guardian dog keeps bears away). The downside is that I have to (and do) get up at dawn every day to let them out. (I haven't tried an automated chicken door, so far, because I have to let the geese out of the run at dawn, anyway. Still, in seasons when predators are more active (early spring and fall, in our area) you could perhaps lock the chickens in a coop at night. And donkeys and llamas are said to be hostile to canines, and are sometimes used to protect chickens!
It sounds like you have a really good system. That's what l used to do, as they have a completely enclosed area under cover. I became complacent, as a fox had never jumped over the high fences to the outer area before. I didn't close the door of the secure area. If l had, only the duck(which mostly stays on the water at night ) and one hen would been taken. So, really, it is entirely my fault. I am still really upset about it.
@@rosemarybennett5044 I deeply sympathize! Such losses are heart rending. We only learned the hard way, after losing numerous chickens, cats and a goose to predators (and cars). Now the chickens can enjoy a 'free ranging fortress'. And no system is foolproof, as it's important to give your animals a measure of freedom and enjoyment of the outdoors. I hope you will feel better soon, and that you may find new chickens and ducks.
So sorry 😞
So sorry Rosie to hear this. The fox has just killed 17 of our chickens, it is heart breaking 😢
It has really disturbed me as l expect it has you 😐 💜
Oh Rosie I am so sorry to hear this devastating news. Nature is cruel sometimes. Why couldn't the fox just take what it wanted and leave the rest. You may have to put barbed wire on the top of the enclosure fence or a whole wire netting roof. Hope you and your granddaughter feel happy again soon.
Hello. ❤
Maybe getting a shepherd dog would help. His barks would keep the foxes away.
Yes, our dog does a good job most of the time, but it was at night, and he was inside.
I'm so sorry for you and your family. Is a fox the only predator that could have done it? It's terrible losing even one chicken to a predator, and I can't imagine losing them all at once. Our chickens go into a sturdy wooden coop at night. They go in by themselves at sunset, and I then lock the small door. So they are completely safe at night (except from bear break-ins, but our guardian dog keeps bears away). The downside is that I have to (and do) get up at dawn every day to let them out. (I haven't tried an automated chicken door, so far, because I have to let the geese out of the run at dawn, anyway. Still, in seasons when predators are more active (early spring and fall, in our area) you could perhaps lock the chickens in a coop at night. And donkeys and llamas are said to be hostile to canines, and are sometimes used to protect chickens!
It sounds like you have a really good system.
That's what l used to do, as they have a completely enclosed area under cover.
I became complacent, as a fox had never jumped over the high fences to the outer area before.
I didn't close the door of the secure area.
If l had, only the duck(which mostly stays on the water at night ) and one hen would been taken. So, really, it is entirely my fault. I am still really upset about it.
@@rosemarybennett5044 I deeply sympathize! Such losses are heart rending. We only learned the hard way, after losing numerous chickens, cats and a goose to predators (and cars). Now the chickens can enjoy a 'free ranging fortress'. And no system is foolproof, as it's important to give your animals a measure of freedom and enjoyment of the outdoors. I hope you will feel better soon, and that you may find new chickens and ducks.
Oh no. Looks like you will need to bring fortifications to the coop and restock. So sad that the fox seems to kill just for fun rather than for food.
I am devastated .
It took 4 out of the 11 away though.
I presume it was a fox 🤔
Fox I am sure would have hardy cubs to feed at the moment, no consultation to you Rosie, could it be a mink or pinemartin? Sad 😢