21 December 2007
Chickens + Fox = Less Chickens
Posted by Richard under: Chickens; Smallholding; Wildlife .
A fox attack was always on the cards since I saw a large dog fox take a rabbit in the bottom field about a week ago. It was one of those moments that you know is a double-edged sword - thrilling to watch but knowing that it is bad news for a smallholder. It was a logical move that he would head up the hill at some point and have a go at the chickens. The cold weather was going to make him hungry and bold enough to attempt attacks on the poultry in daylight.
On Tuesday, one chicken went and we lost a further two yesterday….leaving us with two bantams and the cockerel. I suspect they are also on the menu in the coming days - with fingers-crossed and plenty of dog walking around the fields they may just manage to avoid becoming a vulpine Christmas lunch.
It was always probably too optimistic to have the chickens completely free-range, but we gave it a go. However, before we get any replacements we will need to build a good sized and secure run.
6 Comments so far...
Anke Sieker Says:
22 December 2007 at 7:47 pm.
Invest in an electric fence/poultry netting system. Not entiirely free-range but with regular moving it nearly is and probably the only long-term safe solution.
I have seen our “local” fox right next to our enclosure, but so far we haven’t lost any yet. Our dog - fox terrier! - doesn’t make a difference at all, the fox marks his territory right on our front door step - literally!
Richard Says:
22 December 2007 at 10:29 pm.
I think your probably right. We use electric netting to strip graze the sheep and it is very effective - even against their insulating wool. In the long term it is probably the most flexible approach. Thanks for the advice.
Foxes can be very brazen - I once had a fox that used to raid the bin in the kitchen if we left the door open.
David Says:
23 December 2007 at 8:25 am.
Here is Shropshire we are plagued with fox and badger that occasionally deplete our stock of hens, ducks and geese. The amount of effort expended in creating runs and moving them is rarely worthwhile and seldom effective - a badger will dig under almost anything and is rarely too bothered about electric netting. A fox will slip through all but the bottom holes in pig wire. Chickens will fly over poultry netting. Ducks and geese need to range otherwise the concentrated mess is revolting.
We just make sure that they’re all shut away at dusk and ensure that, if we see a fox (and I’m sure that we see a very small proportion of those resident locally), we call the gamekeeper or, if its on our land, someone who enjoys the sport of tracking them down. The irony of the last big wipe-out of our hens was that it was while we were enjoying the hospitality of the Hunt at the farmers’ party!
Cottage Smallholder Says:
23 December 2007 at 11:21 am.
There are electronic chicken house doors that lower at dusk which are very useful.
Richard Says:
23 December 2007 at 11:51 am.
David - that’s the other option….and talking to friends in the village, it seems to be the method of choice locally. One friend has electric netting and still lost a bunch of turkeys. Thanks.
CS - I love gadgets - and I have seen the light-sensitive doors. Our chickens were pretty good at putting themselves in at dusk - but unfortunately the fox took them in the middle of the day. Might still go for one of those doors for Sunday morning lie-ins
Rebecca (smallholding in Ireland) Says:
1 January 2008 at 8:47 pm.
Have you tried having a ‘p’ around the chickens environs, you know, marking your territory?!