The Poultry Keeper

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1402 Location: Manchester

Well since the last strike that took the ex batts when I was out for the evening I've been religious about closing the chickens up at night - last night it was dark and raining when I went out and closed up the door to the run, I was going to lift all the chicks up onto the perch to try and train them to sleep there but as it was wet the coop back had swollen and I didn't know if I'd be able to get it back in without a struggle. So I left it.

This morning I came to let them out and the run was empty, I thought it was odd that they hadn't come out of the coop, then I looked round and saw the white rooster hiding behind a plant pot.

I opened the back of the coop - empty. Checked the garden.. empty, all except the white rooster that was destined for the pot anyway.

Looks like that fox is definitely still around.

Why didn't the chickens go to bed though? What made them decide to sleep outside when it was p*ssing down with rain? this is getting so frustrating.

Sedgewort Bramble · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 8:45 am Post subject:

Was the fox already in the coop????

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1402 Location: Manchester

Nope, the chickens must have decided to sleep outside, the coop was empty, nothing got in or out.

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1431 Location: Leicestershire

Maybe the fox had already been before you got there.

I know the last thing you want to hear is what I am going to say next. . . . but. . . .if you know you have a fox around why do you not shut them up before dark?

For various reasons I go at this time of year and shut mine up at 6 pm. They are used to it and it doesn't bother them. I will push it to 7pm futher into the summer but that's it. It can be done. It's peace of mind for me, they quickly get the message and I maybe have to do a bit of running around on a warm sunny summers evening, but I don't get faced with what you have this morning. Don't get me wrong here - I'm not being smug, I have had a fox visiting in the day, but they only usually take one then as they have to chase them round to catch. . . if it's dark they have a sitting target.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Itsybitsy

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1986 Location: norfolk

In my experience it doesn't matter what time you shut them up in the summer months if there is a determined fox around. I have had poultry taken in broad daylight (we are talking 4pm in June). I had a goose killed and almost taken away over a 5 foot fence at 5.30pm in August - just got there in time to rescue the goose but the damage was done. It's one of the reasons I now pen all my poultry as the heartache of losing them was too much.

CP · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject:

Foxes seem to work 24/7 these days.(maybe they always have.)
I lost my 13 on a sunny day last June between 1.30 & 3.30pm & it got over a 6' fence. Sad

So sorry Kitsune. Crying or Very sad

They must have already been taken last night. Crying or Very sad

Welsh Duck · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject:

If there is red mite in the shed they don't like going into perch. Have you had them long? They might not have realised where "home" is. Or perhaps as mentioned before, the fox had them before it was dark. Sad

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1402 Location: Manchester

Thankyou all for your comments, I was in the house all evening, running around doing things - I was helping Steve build a new tank for the snakes, it had to be done quickly as the lizards had to be out of their tank as well while it was completed so the tanks could be fitted together.

It took a lot longer than planned, hence the late shut up - the garden here is surrounded by other gardens, I have never seen a fox around here before 2-3am as there is so much activity before then. I understand that this would explain the fact that the chickens weren't in the coop but I just can't see it happening.

I will however be absolutely diligent to get them locked up before dark now. A learning experience, well learned.

CP · Posted: Sun May 18, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

It's a sad fact that many of us learn the hard way - just because you don't see a fox doesn't mean they aren't around, checking out your defences. They should never be underestimated in their cunning ability to obtain a meal. Twisted Evil

We thought our run was fairly impregnable & it had not been breeched for 7 years but a fox found out the weak spot eventually & we lost 13 birds as a result.
Absolutely gutted at the time & we invested in an electric fencing system immediately. But even now a year later, everytime I return home from somewhere I get that horrible feeling that it's been again, until I see my birds safe & sound.

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1431 Location: Leicestershire

My experience has been bitterly learnt too. . . . Confused

Itsybitsy