Vile fox... 37 chickens dead... If only the "townies" knew...
09 July 2014, 11:29 PM
#1
Vile fox... 37 chickens dead... If only the "townies" knew...
The lady who goes round our farm at night to shut the chickens in alerted us that there were a lot of chickens running around and a lot of dead scattered about. We rushed out and ran to the farm (took the rifle just on the off-chance that the fox was still out there) and saw 2 foxes out in the field!
I lamped the one while my Dad took the shoot (2nd time lucky) but unfortunately the other got away and ran through the electric fencing and into the hedging where I lost it.
God knows why people help feed the foxes as they kill other animals purely the sake of it. It wouldn't bother us as much if it had just 1 or 2 birds, but to kill 37 and leave them all scattered around the farm is just really upsetting to see. The chickens that managed to escape will probably never lay an egg again due to the shock that they've had and the egg production of the flock as a whole will be lower than usual due to the upset caused.
Bring back the hunt, that's all I say.
I lamped the one while my Dad took the shoot (2nd time lucky) but unfortunately the other got away and ran through the electric fencing and into the hedging where I lost it.
God knows why people help feed the foxes as they kill other animals purely the sake of it. It wouldn't bother us as much if it had just 1 or 2 birds, but to kill 37 and leave them all scattered around the farm is just really upsetting to see. The chickens that managed to escape will probably never lay an egg again due to the shock that they've had and the egg production of the flock as a whole will be lower than usual due to the upset caused.
Bring back the hunt, that's all I say.
Last edited by LSherratt; 09 July 2014 at 11:36 PM.
09 July 2014, 11:56 PM
#2
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are chickens that emotional? thats is bad though 37 in one sitting, might sound daft but can you not eat the dead chickens as there fresh so to speak? im not taking the **** by the way
09 July 2014, 11:58 PM
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You do the right thing, if a fox is a nuisance, then shoot the bugger, job done. At least you have the satisfaction it wont be bothering you again
The hunt was a waste of time, just a jolly jape, nothing to do with controlling fox population. You don't need 20 men on horseback and 50 hounds to deal with a fox, simply do what you did and shoot it.
The hunt was a waste of time, just a jolly jape, nothing to do with controlling fox population. You don't need 20 men on horseback and 50 hounds to deal with a fox, simply do what you did and shoot it.
10 July 2014, 12:19 AM
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I am sorry, but trying to shoot them will not work. It's only in places like France they can shoot them. The UK foxes need about 60 hounds, 12 horses and 12 toffee nosed ***** on said horses to dispose of them 'humanely' 
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10 July 2014, 08:40 AM
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10 July 2014, 09:12 AM
#14
You do the right thing, if a fox is a nuisance, then shoot the bugger, job done. At least you have the satisfaction it wont be bothering you again
The hunt was a waste of time, just a jolly jape, nothing to do with controlling fox population. You don't need 20 men on horseback and 50 hounds to deal with a fox, simply do what you did and shoot it.
The hunt was a waste of time, just a jolly jape, nothing to do with controlling fox population. You don't need 20 men on horseback and 50 hounds to deal with a fox, simply do what you did and shoot it.
10 July 2014, 09:34 AM
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His cousin will just step into the breach. Maybe he was a re located townie.
http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewto...=2286&start=10
http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewto...=2286&start=10
Last edited by dpb; 10 July 2014 at 09:35 AM.
10 July 2014, 10:07 AM
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As a townie I'd just add that foxes are vermin here too. They've ripped up the kids trampoline and crap all over the garden because we have a dog. The biggest upset for me though is, that because of the risk of collateral damage in a built up area, I cannot shoot the b'stards
Might have to reinvigorate the idea of a crossbow with her indoors instead
Might have to reinvigorate the idea of a crossbow with her indoors instead
10 July 2014, 10:35 AM
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If you do think of way's to keep the fox out you might also need to consider making it badger proof. I found that the badgers were making way for the foxes on there way to the layers pellets for a midnight snack.
With regards to the hunt, they do still go for foxes, it may not be legal but you can't help it if you take your hounds out for a bit of exercise while you're horse riding and they grab a fox.
Some people fill ladies tights with human hair and put them round the perimeter but would have thought that the fox would wise up in time although they do swear by them.
With regards to the hunt, they do still go for foxes, it may not be legal but you can't help it if you take your hounds out for a bit of exercise while you're horse riding and they grab a fox.
Some people fill ladies tights with human hair and put them round the perimeter but would have thought that the fox would wise up in time although they do swear by them.
10 July 2014, 12:32 PM
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10 July 2014, 01:01 PM
#22
Total dead; 44 chickens.
There's only so much you can do to protect your livestock and we do everything possible to protect the farm. Each field/the entire farm perimeter is electric fenced and this morning while checking the fence I noticed a small gap under a small section of the fencing where I'm guessing they must have got through. It's where one of the steaks which keeps the electric strands held down has popped up a bit out of the ground leaving a gap less than a foot high, enough for a fox to get through.
I haven't had a problem with foxes in years so the fence has been doing a very good job at keeping foxes out and the chickens in. I guess it's just one of those things and I doubt the other will be back for a long time!
There's only so much you can do to protect your livestock and we do everything possible to protect the farm. Each field/the entire farm perimeter is electric fenced and this morning while checking the fence I noticed a small gap under a small section of the fencing where I'm guessing they must have got through. It's where one of the steaks which keeps the electric strands held down has popped up a bit out of the ground leaving a gap less than a foot high, enough for a fox to get through.
I haven't had a problem with foxes in years so the fence has been doing a very good job at keeping foxes out and the chickens in. I guess it's just one of those things and I doubt the other will be back for a long time!
Last edited by LSherratt; 10 July 2014 at 01:03 PM.
10 July 2014, 01:06 PM
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Most of those on hunts are just from the farming community who are hardly toffee nosed ***** as you describe them.
10 July 2014, 01:09 PM
#24
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IMO it's very childish of fox not to tidy up after making a mess. Not on.
In all seriousness, genuinely sorry for your loss, L. I can imagine how hard it must have been for you and your family to witness the aftermath of the crime scene.
Not into animal killing, but if any fox or even another cat tries to kill my cats, I will be inclined to equalise.
In all seriousness, genuinely sorry for your loss, L. I can imagine how hard it must have been for you and your family to witness the aftermath of the crime scene.
Not into animal killing, but if any fox or even another cat tries to kill my cats, I will be inclined to equalise.
10 July 2014, 01:39 PM
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Total dead; 44 chickens.
There's only so much you can do to protect your livestock and we do everything possible to protect the farm. Each field/the entire farm perimeter is electric fenced and this morning while checking the fence I noticed a small gap under a small section of the fencing where I'm guessing they must have got through. It's where one of the steaks which keeps the electric strands held down has popped up a bit out of the ground leaving a gap less than a foot high, enough for a fox to get through.
I haven't had a problem with foxes in years so the fence has been doing a very good job at keeping foxes out and the chickens in. I guess it's just one of those things and I doubt the other will be back for a long time!
There's only so much you can do to protect your livestock and we do everything possible to protect the farm. Each field/the entire farm perimeter is electric fenced and this morning while checking the fence I noticed a small gap under a small section of the fencing where I'm guessing they must have got through. It's where one of the steaks which keeps the electric strands held down has popped up a bit out of the ground leaving a gap less than a foot high, enough for a fox to get through.
I haven't had a problem with foxes in years so the fence has been doing a very good job at keeping foxes out and the chickens in. I guess it's just one of those things and I doubt the other will be back for a long time!
Can you crank up your electric fence to absolute maximum? We have a field behind us which currently has sheep in it (it's usually just grass). The electric fence gave our dog such an almighty shock the other day that she won't go anywhere near it, even when it's off! She's not exactly a hardcore dog (female black lab) but the yelps she made had me thinking she'd stepped in a trap or something!
I'd be absolutely livid - foxes are devious sods.
10 July 2014, 01:48 PM
#28
Fence is at 6000 volts and that's at the maximum which is more than enough for cattle! You would certainly NOT want to touch that. I have accidentally and it left a bruise! My dad ducked under it and it touched his head and it knocked him out for a few seconds!
Yes dpb, there was a small gap where they must have got under. My fault? Maybe, although running a farming business isn't as simple as checking 45 acres of electric fencing perimeter each day for possible gaps which may develop. I probably last checked it all about a month ago when I did some weed spraying around the perimeter and all was good then.
Yes dpb, there was a small gap where they must have got under. My fault? Maybe, although running a farming business isn't as simple as checking 45 acres of electric fencing perimeter each day for possible gaps which may develop. I probably last checked it all about a month ago when I did some weed spraying around the perimeter and all was good then.