farewell to chicken keeping

[crkm]

after 5 years of having chickens - I lost my last two to a fox. I have always let my girls free roam in the day with no problems. On the one day I pop in to see my mum after school and got home later than normal - both my girls were dead. One left in the garden - the other no where to be seen. I feel terrible - in that one was an old lady and deserved a better end. So my husband is now dismantling the run and egloo

[doglover]

So sorry to hear your news. Try to remember that you gave your girls a wonderful life - full of freedom and fun. Better to have experienced a free-range existence rather than a confined one. Having lost several chickens to fox attacks over the years, I do understand how distressing it is: hugs to you x

[jamesrojas]

Yes it is very distressing.

[mindingalongtime]

I know how you feel, I lost 10 last week, all 5 years old, good layers too, 100+ eggs in Feb.

I didn't have any bodies, just lots of feathers, enough to stuff a pillow. I bought some more this week and the poultry breeder said he'd heard of at least 10 other fox strikes last week.

I was in 2 minds whether to get some ore, but I had rehomed 3 hens, for someone moving only days before, they were in an eglu, mine were in the cube in an aviary, but decided that I needed to introduce new ones asap.

I lock mine away now in daylight, whereas I used to go down anytime in the evening.

[dikkertjedap]

minding a fox often comes back after having taken all chickens to check out if there are any more. So I would be very careful, even during the day. With the cold weather I used to have a fox even come during the day and it was really hard to chase him away, he just ran away for about 30 yards and then waited to see whether I would go away. Foxes can be very persistent. I would consider electric fencing if possible