[compostqueen]

Timely warning.  My girls were attacked yesterday evening    My gobby girl kicked up such a racket (really bloodcurling noise) and my OH was out there immediately and the fox was still there, caught up in the run netting - thank God!

One of my girls lay dead, one was missing and the other was obviously injured.  I picked her up and collected the missing one who was heading for our back door by this time but thankfully uninjured.  The other was really traumatised and completely off her legs, her feathers were all over the place 

The fox got free and ran off and my husband went to retrieve the dead girl who turned out to be ALIVE, she was just playing dead!  Both girls made it through the night, I kept the poorliest one in the kitchen in a travel box overnight. Both were quite alert this morning, but one very wonky on her leg and very unbalanced, the other girls feathers were all over the place and hanging off in spectacular fashion, the run was covered in feathers.  I am very concerned and rang the vet who says to leave them well alone for now, and then ring him back if they get any worse   I was horrified   
 
 
 
 

[nzdunn]

oh my god how alwful for you, its a pity the fox didnt stay tangled up in the wire , a lucky escape then for your girls it was a good job 'gobby' lives up to her name it probably saved them all.   Really hope they recover well for you, keep us posted.   Nickyx

[compostqueen]

Gobby girl is just fine this morning and none the worse for the ordeal. The other two are cause for concern as one is limping badly and has a wing hanging down and the other has just lost loads of feathers. Both have pale combs. All are eating and drinking and the vet says to leave them be for 48 hours but to ring him again if any of their conditions worsen

I can't take my eyes off them this morning.  I have just raked up all the pulled out feathers and the girls must be really sore and bruised as you can see they've been ripped out of them. Poor girls 

Checking out electric fencing now 

[Aunt Sally]

Get the vet to prescribe some antibiotic to make sure they have no infections from tiny puncture wounds that you might not be able to see.

Fingers crossed for them CQ !!!!

[jo40]

It is awful and very frightening (for us too).
I did exactly the same, electric fencing, couldn't settle until it was up and running. Now the fox knows they are there it will be back. I kept mine in the shed for a couple of days, out of site completely unless I could 'stand guard'.
Good luck with the fencing I believe it really is the best deterrent, our dog wouldn't go within 10ft of it after a couple of shocks.
Jo

[newChickenMummy]

This is awful, what clever chooks you have though alerting you and playing dead  . 

Nasty foxes, they should never have banned fox hunting! 

[compostqueen]

One girl seems much better and is out of the coop now and drinking. The other girl is all scrunched up

I shall get some antibiotic from the vet Aunt Sal as I suspect, judging by the state of their feathers, that they will have bites. There was no blood but there isn't always is there

[Aunt Sally]

No not always blood but foxes don't brush their teeth (only their tails).

[Vember]

Thank goodness they made such a noise CQ

Fingers crossed they continue to improve


Sarah

[SMD66]

see if you can check for skin tears too.  Often the skin is torn when the fox pulls feathers.  Nasty creatures,  hope your hens are better soon.

[compostqueen]

good suggestion, I'll have a look tomorrow but leaving them be for now

[LittleRedHen]

Those alarm cries are worthf heeding and a good thing your OH did!  I would think that vet would want to do something about that leg and wing, though.  Terrible experience for you all.  It's a miracle that everyone survived!

[poultrygeist]

Just caught up CQ. Well done to you and your OH for getting out in time. Sadly, a very rare ending to the story.
Hope they recover well and you get that leccy fencing to keep the fox out.

Rob

[compostqueen]

The girls are up and about this morning thank goodness. They're in the small run at the moment resting up after breakfast. 

The lady next door was telling me that the fox took her rabbits that were locked in their run. She said it took them through the bottom of the hutch where it had bitten and scratched its way in, and as the bottom of the hutch disintegrated the rabbits had fallen out

I can only thank goodness that my girls loud cries were heard in time. 

[Thrift]

We had a terrible commotion from the hen house during the night with all the girls screeching and cackling. My OH dashed out, all ok but a fox in the field making a ghastly roar/screech.

It surely isn't the mating season yet is it? We often hear the vixens screaming but I thought it was too early.

Do hope your poor girls recover.....so awful!!!