The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Roxy on July 20, 2013, 02:20:44 pm
-
Have just poured some coffee out of my flask, and heard a thud from round the other side of the 4x4, and then all hell broke loose with the hens cackling and running for their lives. Immediate thought was a dog on the farm track, not on a lead had come through into the field. Ran round to the other side of car, but no dog. Last of the hens still running up the field like the devil was behind them. I looked all round, and then - peering out at me from under the 4x4 was a pint sized fox cub!!
Neighbours gardner must have thought I was a mad woman, as I yelled and shouted, and banged on the car. Fox obviously had no fear of humans, so stood there gazing at me, and two old hens than either had not got the sense or the energy to run. After more shouting from me, its moved away into the long grass. It will be back, well, its probably still here somewhere. Cheeky thing, under the very car I was standing next to!!
Beware, young fox cubs are coming out about now on their own, and during the day. I have had them pick hens up and carry them off, but a feathered hen is a bit too heavy for a young fox, and they do put them down after a few yards. I hope it did not have mum with it, and she took a hen in the bedlam - they do usually hunt in pairs. I now know what happened to my white silkie cockerel.
Was supposed to be going with OH to do carriage wedding, but too hot for me. Thank goodness, I stayed here. Daren't move now, in case it come back!!
I will get one of the big dogs to walk round the field, and maybe that will keep it away. Will have to keep him on a lead, if he gets behind that, he will keep going, and be miles a way.
Little fox back again -trying to remove the cockerels from their pen. Went round when I heard the racket, and there it was. I walked right up to it, and it did not move. Lots of clapping, yelling and shouting from me, and its moved down the field, but not far. OMG .....hens will not go in until dark, and I have to go to the other farm. I dare not move or it will take the hens....or try to. Where is my trusty mate with his gun!!!
-
Had to leave all my free range hens in this morning. Helping neighbour with his hay (got to be quick, rain on the way!) so cannot sit there chasing fox cub all morning!! Farmer has promised once the hay is got, he will come along and see what he can do about my problem :) There is probably a few siblings watching from the long grass as well.......
-
you want to be quick.... they will return
-
Fingers crossed you don't have any casualties.
Helen
-
One of the livery ladies from next door farm (well railway inbetween, but technically next door!) said there has been a vixen and two cubs in their fields. Vixen disappeared and one dead cub found in the field, so looks like this little one is the remaining cub. It did not look big enough to have learnt to hunt on its own, so is probably desperate for food - although plenty of little rabbits, which are not hard to catch.....
Have let the hens out, but standing guard
-
I feel sorry for the little thing but at the same time I hate foxes. :rant:
-
Yes, part of me, being an animal lover, feels bad for the little thing, but then I think about my hens. If its hungry, it will catch something - preferably not my hens though.