[Declan]

Got up early this morning to do the rounds before going to work- as I approached the pen noticed the water drinker knocked over in one of the pens. I hatched 15 out of 18eggs-  light sussex, RIR, red sussex and a cream legbar on 16th March. All but two were missing and those were dead in the pen. Foxy had caused havoc on my pride and joy. Walked around the adjoining fields where I found feathers all over the place.
 
Im gutted. When you care for young birds and see them coming on I had just moved them onto the grass in their new house and pen and then for them to be wiped out- i'm sick. Re-evaluating the whole thing now.

Declan 

[jameslindsay]

Declan, that is so awful, I a sorry. I too have lost birds to the bloody fox - I hate the things.

[valr]

Really sorry to hear that Declan

[JulieS]

How awful for you 

[Roxy]

I am so sorry - its an awful feeling when you find something like this has happened.

[Sharondp]

I lost 4 out of my 5 light sussex pullets to a fox 

It's heart wrenching isn't it.

[juliag]

Really sorry to hear that Declan, I too lost 4-5 a couple of weeks ago to a fox although that was my own fault. Really bloody gutting isnt it.

[trefnantbach]

Sorry to hear about your experience but how secure were your pens? perhaps we can all learn from your experience.

[little blue]

very sorry to hear that.
Fox has to eat... but not our chickens, eh?!

[Daisys Mum]

It really is sickening isn't it you put in all that work and along comes foxy and rips them all to shreds, mine are all inside a 6' high pen now as I was on the point of giving up, ok it cost a lot of money and my eggs should probably be selling at £20 adozen to pay for it but I now have peace of mind when I go out for the day.
He came in broad daylight almost up to the house and took one of my very heavy Aylesbury ducks, I saw him and went screaming down the field cursing and swearing at him and he dropped it before jumping into the river and getting away, poor duck was badly injured and had to be killed.

[Brucklay]

I agree with Daisys Mum - pens are the important thing - we have only a few foxes as the gamekeeper keeps them down but they do appear now and again at dawn and dusk. This summer we built a pen 6m x 4m x 1.8m and used weldmesh 1/2" x 1/4" sides, top and bottom as we tend to have a rat issue once we have ducklings and so small weldmesh is the only thing to keep them safe - so lets hope it works!! Our ducks aren't clipped so fly about all over the place and as we're in quite an open area I can spot them in their wee groups most of the time, it nice seeing them out and about during the day - but it is a chance. I just make sure they're not out too early (not a problem) and get in the pen well before dusk - hope you hatch some more Declan