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Chicken keepers

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Whats having my chickens?

6 replies

bacon · 12/05/2011 21:30

I had six on a farm, had a lovely shed made for night time but one must of been had around 9pm by the fox a few weeks ago. ANyway we were very careful and made sure they were in before 8pm. Anyway the day of the Royal Wedding we can home to find another chicken dead on the side of the road (this was 6pm ish) no blood, no puncture wounds and no feathers. I assumed it got knocked down???? Seem to have lost 2 now. Hubby saw the remnants of one in a fox hideaway last weekend. But yesturday found one all nervous and in a state around 5pm. No damage. Tonight a couple of them are in a state. I cant understand. Its busy here, we have livery, a jack russell, ferrel cats, an evil alsation thats tied up and loves chickens, and people. I can mainly think its fox season but its too noisey here and what doesnt help is dead sheep carcus (left by hubby). I have had the boys over with guns but havent yet got anything. Will get a trap for weekend.

Could there be another problem here - not just a fox? Now tonight have 3 left.

OP posts:
PaisleyLeaf · 12/05/2011 23:47

Well I guess it could be any of the ones you mention - feral cats, jack russell, fox.
Or something else: mink? Bird of prey? .
Chickens are vulnerable, even if it's daytime or noisy.

bacon · 13/05/2011 12:46

Down to two this morning as the one died.

Mink - not in this area, prey, no again. Jack russel no as she only attacks and theres a mess. UNsure about the cats as they are well fed.

My man is coming over in a sec to check out the area and will set up a cull tonight.

OP posts:
AuntieMonica · 13/05/2011 12:52

could it be rats? they could be getting in and spooking the chooks, then a fox decided to 'cash in' on the spooked birds?

cazzybabs · 13/05/2011 12:58

My friend says ravens are attacking her chickens

bacon · 13/05/2011 14:35

My man has been defo not fox. Kept the dead chicken and he plucked it so see the back bone, something has swipped at it but not broken the skin, no damage but very visable either a buzzard or cat. As I guessed a fox would of left a lot of damage and mess. Vixons are with their cubs at mo and too cold. As for the dog - havent seen any.

He's been up here on and off for a couple of weeks and hasnt spotted a fox in ages (he's good). Noticed the amount of crows, magpies and look theres a buzzard!!!

I'm keeping an eye on that feral cat too, any messing he's going to be gone too. Apparently they like to paw them.

My man is popping back tomorrow with all his kit (major stuff) bird callers, superdooper binoculars and a few rifles!

Dont have a rat problem as JR is a brilliant ratter!

Thanks all, still very upset cant believe how much I love the chickens.

OP posts:
mummymeister · 15/05/2011 11:33

We had a feral cat around who used to chase the chickens and pounce on them from behind. We had a couple die of fright this way and then they got picked at by other things - not sure if it was rats or the buzzard. We only know the cat did this because we were outside sitting quietly and saw it.

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