The Poultry Keeper

greentree · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 171 Location: Wicklow - Ireland

OK - I have (had) 8 hens and 1 rooster. Had lots of problems with foxes so I decided to change my habits and only let the hens free range when I am at home. This was working out OK until this evening.

I was chatting with the OH in the kitchen and noticed one of the hens was in the garden (where it cant get to unless it flies over a 4ft fence). Went out to the hen area and saw the rooster was missing, feathers everywhere and all the hens huddled up in the corner. There was also a trail of feathers leading into the forest. That damn fox took the rooster while I was in the house.

The only good thing is that on previous occasions there were 3 or 4 hens missing. I suppose that when I was away the fox would come back a few times and keep taking them. It seems the rooster must have tried to fight him and got taken.

So has it got to the stage where it is never safe to let my hens out?

Mike

CP · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 1:16 am Post subject:

Sorry you lost your boy. Crying or Very sad

I hope he put up a good fight.

Foxes are getting braver or more desparate. Lots of poultry get taken during the day & when there are people about.

I've read that a fox can scale a 6 foot fence so 4 foot wouldn't be a problem for it, unfortunately.

A neighbour of ours recently lost her flock during the morning as she took her dog for a walk. The only way for it to get in was to climb the fence.

Since seeing one in our chicken run one morning 2 weeks ago my OH has been busy with more security around the fences. Hopefully it will be enough...

mcleod-girls · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 12:41 pm Post subject:

sorry about your rooster, we have been quite lucky so far, but have friends and neighbours who have lost lots Sad

not sure what else you could have done.

greentree · Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Posts: 171 Location: Wicklow - Ireland

Thanks All. I suppose its the age old choice - let them free range and try to keep an eye on them or keep them locked up. Its a hard one to call.

mojo · Posted: Sun Jun 10, 2007 8:53 pm Post subject:

if you can touch the top of your fence a fox can climb it.....................2 metres high with a outwards overhang of a least a foot is really needed...... the problem is like assurance .......can i afford it and never use it..........up to you i fear but remember foxes are bright b*****s are will come bck so take precauctions