[doganjo]

Oh, I'm so sorry.    My ducks were just my wee pals, I didn't show them, but I show my dogs so I feel for you - an added misery level.

[AllenFrost]

Sorry to hear about that.  That situation has been my biggest fear about raising chicks.  Since I sometimes get back from work quite late, I installed a solar powered, light activated, automatic pop door on my coop.   The chicks go in before dark and the door closes about 30 minutes after dark.  It then opens at dawn before the chicks and I am up.
I also have my mobile coop, which I move about the pasture for free ranging, surrounded by solar powered electric netting fence to keep out predators, so they have double protection.  I still go out every morning to feed and water them and do a head count, just in case.  Raising animals can be a rewarding task and sometimes heart breaking but we still love it.

[cooped-up]

Thanks,we have seen this before but nothing takes the shock away, didnt get the chance to shut them in 

[doganjo]

I installed a solar powered, light activated, automatic pop door on my coop.   The chicks go in before dark and the door closes about 30 minutes after dark.  It then opens at dawn before the chicks and I am up.
I also have my mobile coop, which I move about the pasture for free ranging, surrounded by solar powered electric netting fence to keep out predators, so they have double protection. 

That would cost a fair bit of money over here in the UK (I see you are in the US), and I dare say if many of us could afford it we'd do just the same.  My ducks would have been safely enclosed in a dog cage and shed unit had I remembered to shut them in it.   

[NickiWilliams]

Dodanjo, it is devastating and we really feel for you. If you would like some eggs to incubate, you are very welcome to them 

[doganjo]

Dodanjo, it is devastating and we really feel for you. If you would like some eggs to incubate, you are very welcome to them 

Thank you, I've had a number of similar offers.  I'm going to build a new run first before I decide what I'm going to do - the old one will be rested and resown.  Off to buy grass seed today.

[deepinthewoods]

ive resown where my last chooks were, and its grown like a b......d, loads of nutrients in the soil.

[scotelf]

Really sorry to hear this     I hope someone gets rid of the fox (es).


I had to stop mine free ranging in the daytime. Now I've moved they are all in heras fencing pens again. Not fox proof, but I'm hoping with being shut in at night it's enough to keep them safe.


I've forgotten a few times too to close my coop doors, but not been as unlucky as you, hope you get some other ducks when you are ready.

[SallyintNorth]

I installed a solar powered, light activated, automatic pop door on my coop.   The chicks go in before dark and the door closes about 30 minutes after dark.  It then opens at dawn before the chicks and I am up.
I also have my mobile coop, which I move about the pasture for free ranging, surrounded by solar powered electric netting fence to keep out predators, so they have double protection. 

That would cost a fair bit of money over here in the UK (I see you are in the US), and I dare say if many of us could afford it we'd do just the same.  My ducks would have been safely enclosed in a dog cage and shed unit had I remembered to shut them in it.   

http://ascott-dairy.co.uk/acatalog/Electronic_Doorkeeper.html
Not cheap, no, but for peace of mind for those who have the odd night when you can't be back or might forget, Ascott charge £155 + VAT for the complete light activated, automatic pop door system. 

[kitchen cottage]

 I am so sorry for you.  I lost some chickens to Mr Reynard and I felt so guilty for letting them roam too far.  I have one free range (Emily) who seems to outsmart him but all the other hens are in a run. 

[Maesgwyn]

http://www.foxolutions.co.uk We are trying this at the moment and since putting it in have not lost any birds, we have had 11 duck and three hens taken in the last month and I watched the fox go through the stock fencing.  'fraid it has a lot to do with fox hunting being banned, also I have heard that some urban foxes are being rehomed in the country side that is why they are not so shy
Julia

[jaykay]

AllenFrost had solar powered netting as well as the automatic door. Don't think I'd want to rely on solar powered anything here under The Fell where even when it's sunny down the dale I have a cloud!

Automatic doors are good for chooks, who take themselves to bed when it gets dark. But ducks often don't, so they're good for letting ducks out later in the morning so that they've laid before they go out, but someone still has to be around at night to herd them in. At least ducks will herd.

[doganjo]

I was thinking that about the solar powered stuff - not much good here in Scotland either, and my shed isn't close enough to the house for electricity to be installed without a fair cost.  So it's back to the old DIY system - keep an eye at all times possible. 
Still debating whether to have more ducks or not - I now have about 20 eggs offered and 2 drakes.  Either way the pen must be made first and that depends on when my son has time to spend on it as well as the other jobs I need done when he comes to visit - apart from just wanting to chat to him!

[jaykay]

Yes, go for it. Otherwise the b£#%€¥ fox has won 

You've got some ideas to make sure it won't happen again.

[feldar]

There does seem to be an awful lot of foxes around this year i usually spot one or two  but lately we seem to see them almost daily and in different areas, really bold just look at you and say  " so what you looking at!!". At night they are screaming all the time.
Time for some control methinks, got a young lad who shoots rabbits around here i wonder if he might hang around one night and take a few foxes