Foxes And Chickens....

[MadMen]

My parents lost two of their chickens on the weekend, to Mr Fox.
They have a large section of the garden, which is fenced off and surrounded with chicken wire, but he somehow managed to get in - in broad daylight!
They came home to discover the rest of the chickens throwing themselves up against the fence and gate (I assume trying to get out), a chicken writhing around on the floor in agony and another one near to the back fence where Mr Fox had obviously got in, headless :-(
My poor Mum was really upset, understandably, and is now really worried he'll return for the others.
They've secured the fence even further and are keeping them in the smaller run for the time being. The remaining chickens are really spooked and won't let my parents go near them - which they need to do as a few of them have wounds.

My question is, would the fox now keep returning until he's 'got them all'?

[Sharingan]

Once he knows where they are it's a very likely scenario. Foxes will not just kill what they need to eat, they'll wipe out dozens of birds, so make sure your run is super secure, with a top and a 'dig rail'.

[2sp_]

Quick answer is yes, the fox has found a source of food and will keep coming back until that source has gone.

I would suggest that your parents put a string of electric fence around the coop and run. A few shocks to the fox should put him off and keep the hens safe. They should be able to get one at any hardware or industrial supplies store.

[MadMen]

We just can't work out where he got in. Well, we know where about's as that's where the headless chicken was found. He'd obviously tried to carry it back up over the fence, but it was probably too heavy. The fence is really high though.
They've got someone coming round tomorrow to have a look at it and build something more secure.
They've had chickens for years, and this is the first time this has happened. I felt so sorry for my Mum yesterday :-(

[MadMen]

Electric wire may be a good idea. They think he's coming in from above, if you get what I mean, and walking along next door's fence.
We thought it was far too thin for a fox to walk across, but apparently not?

[2sp_]

It's horrible for your parents. Foxes can be so destructive and any surviving hens could easily die from the shock of it all.

[Sharingan]

Foxes can actually climb chainlink fencing, I've personally seen them do it, so if it hasn't got a totally enclosed top he'll get in that way.

[2sp_]

Might be an idea to put a net over the top off the pen.

[2sp_]

*of*

[MadMen]

Sorry, I should have said that the top is also covered. I think it's also chicken wire, but it could be black netting.
I'm going to get sorted and go back round there now actually. My parents are both at work and I know my Mum's really worried that he's going to return. I think I'll go grab a key and keep an eye on them.

I was very surprised this happened in daylight.

[Old_Geezer]

I see cats walk on tightrope width fence panels, so I can well believe a fox could.

Securing the "roof" seems a good suggestion to me. Make sure the sides go well under ground level too.

[2sp_]

Foxes do move about in daylight, especially if they are hungry.

It's amazing how the little blighters can get into pens and coops. We use electric tape running round coops and it seems to do the trick. After a couple of shocks from it they soon learn and go elsewhere. Keeps dogs, cats and any other raiders out too!

[Old_Geezer]

If it is already covered where is there access once at that height ? There must be an entry point wherever that is.

[coccinelle]

As Sharingan says foxes can climb high fences, I too have seen them. I have a fox which has a lair at the bottom of my garden. The only way to protect them is with a 'strong wire roof' over the pen.
I have seen dogs kill just for the kill but foxes usually only kill what they need.

[MadMen]

I think wire fencing is the best way to go here. I just spoke to my Dad and he said he went out this morning, just after 9 ish and the fox was brazenly walking up the garden path. He said he just looked at him and calmly carried on walking. Are they not scared of humans?

[2sp_]

They can be quite brave, especially if they've not been frightened by a human previously or are hungry enough.

[MadMen]

Well I'm going round there in a bit, and I'm taking my shovel!

[riptide]

When I worked in rescue, we always had a large shed that the chickens were put away in at night. Not sure how many chickens they have, but might be worth a thought.

[MadMen]

They've got a huge house which they're put in every night. Their 'run' is a cornered off section of the garden, which is pretty large. This happened in the day, when they were in this area.

[FredPuli43]

Electric fencing wire and a good roof will probably do.

A word in defence of foxes. They don't kill for the fun of it. Just like dogs and wolves, they will hide or bury what they can't eat immediately, and when they are presented with a glut of prey, they will kill what they can when they can.They have to survive on chance kills; there is no guarantee , in the wild, that they will find enough to support them and the young every day, so they have adapted to storing an excess and going hungry at other times. We humans have, unwittingly, supplied them with the occasional bonanza.

[MadMen]

Do not defend them. I fully support fox hunting!