Yes, make your run more secure, and then borrow a fox trap if possible, and bait it with the dead birds. He will definitely be back I'm afraid.
I have to ask, has anybody here actually phoned the fallen livestock people for a hen? I was questioned when I asked them to come out for a single newborn lamb!
I would not try to trap a fox as I don't know how to go about it, or how to dispose of it once caught. Although I am realistic, I am also very anti cruelty to animals and it could be quite horrible to botch disposal. Nor would I transport a caught fox somewhere else, out of its home territory, which would also be bad for its welfare and unfair on the local poultry keepers where the fox was dumped. Unless you are into shooting then the safest thing to do is to make sure your hens are safe, so the fox goes after the rabbits instead.
Leaving fallen stock lying around was the way it was often done before current regulations came into force, and this was a source of good food for wild animals and birds. I believe some people still do it, especially in less populated areas. The question is whether leaving the dead hens in woodland would cause the fox to leave the rest of the flock alone. Probably not.
No I've never called the knacker to collect a dead hen! I think they would think we were taking the p***
Nor have we disposed of a dead lamb that way. On large farms it seems to be easy to collect up 15 to make up a sackful, but I'm delighted to say we have never in the past had that many dead lambs
I have seen it recommended by officialdom to wrap the dead bird and send it off with the dustbin men.
I do agree that chucking out good meat is a waste, but in fact the meat would be contaminated with toxins from the fox's teeth. It would probably be OK for a dog. We were once offered the carcass of a sheep which had been put down by lethal injection. I think they were trying to get rid of our dogs