| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| chrissy |
My poor henHello I don't post here often but I would really appreciate your thoughts on our horrible dilemma. Yesterday a fox got into the chicken pen and had them all. Well, one came back after about an hour. She is now called Lucky. Thing is, we are afraid to let her out, but she is all on her own and in the dark when closed in. Would just one hen do her for company or should we be kind and give her away?  This is very temporary until we get the fence reinforced and she can go out again. Then there is the problem of how long to wait before getting more hens after a fox attack. Any thoughts?
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| Treacodactyl |
I only have two hens and they seem to get on fine and seem to like to be together.
I'm not sure about how long to wait as foxes will always be about so the only thing to do IMHO is to ensure the fox can't get access to the chickens at any time of day. So if they free range then something needs to ensure the foxes don't attack (fence, dogs, people etc) otherwise keep them in a run with fox-proof fencing. |
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| chrissy |
We have a large area surrounded by electric fencing. I have no idea what happened and how he got in, but the fence is a mess and needs redoing and more of a charge putting through it before I'd trust it again. They were always shut away at night, so the attack was in broad daylight.  If we got one more so our remaining hen isn't alone would they be OK kept in for the time being? BTW the run is on the far side of a barn so we can't see it from the house. Not ideal but it's the only place for it.
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| Mary-Jane |
We have a large run (divided in two for rotation every 3 weeks) which is surrounded by stock fencing, plus chicken wire dug 4-6 inches into the ground all round. Gervase insisted that we do that, whereas I wouldn't have bothered digging it in. I'm very glad I listened to him now as we have seen foxes regularly patrolling our chooks - but the foxes have never got into the run yet. | ||
| chrissy |
That sounds safer, and would be worth doing. I can't say we've seen many, any foxes actually, but now he knows chickens are there we can't be too careful. A fox attack is so upsetting. I have to stop myself thinking of what a horrible end they suffered. | ||
| Mary-Jane |
It's time consuming and costs a bit...but we have complete peace of mind when we're not about. Quite a few DS members have seen our run and can vouch for its design and efficacy...(I think  )
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| chrissy |
We don't mind the extra work just so long as we aren't faced with this again.
I don't suppose there is a picture of your run anywhere is there?
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| Mary-Jane |
Thought I had some on my laptop...but can't seem to find them. No matter - I'll pop out and do some more. |
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| sean |
Aren't there some in the thread about HW and NL visiting? | ||
| sean |
Thought so. | ||
| Mary-Jane |
Yup, they were the ones I was looking for. Thanks Sean.  I've just taken some others which show the workings of the chicken run a little better. Will get them up in a minute...
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| chrissy |
Lovely thanks. Your posts look a lot sturdier than ours. Still, we're reducing the size so can change them. Nice chooks!
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| Treacodactyl |
The minimum charge for foxes should be 4,000 - 5,000 volts, for a small run of fencing I think most energisers should produce that if the fence isn't shorting out on vegetation. Other keepers have recommended electric poultry netting. That seems quite expensive so you might want to build a fenced in run, as suggested. |
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| chrissy |
Sorry it is netting we've got as opposed to electric fencing. I don't know if it did short out on greenery growing up outside it, but that would explain why it didn't keep him out. | ||
| Mary-Jane |
Here are some better pics...
This is the chicken run from the end where they are at the moment. The chook house, covered run, gate plus a bit of extra fencing make up the dividing border between the two runs. 
Click to see full size image Then this is from the other side - looking across the other run which is in 'recovery' at the moment. I rotate the chooks once every 3 weeks...although I may reduce that to every 2 weeks during winter. 
Click to see full size image This is a close up of the dividing fence and gate (complete with Toby and Pete the cat who looks like Hitler). 
Click to see full size image And this is looking along the covered run. 
Click to see full size image Hope this helps.
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| chrissy |
That's a lovely set up you've got Mary Jane. I'll show the pictures to my O/H and we'll have to rethink the whole thing I think. Thanks for the pics, very helpful.
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| Mary-Jane |
Glad to be of help Chrissy.
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| gil |
One thing about electric fencing is that you need to check it to make sure it is still kicking out the voltage. | ||
| Mary-Jane |
Aye. Great for sheep...but foxes are decidedly cleverer. Mind you, conrete paving slabs are cleverer than sheep... 
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| chrissy |
Mmmm. Think we fell down badly there. 
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