Will a red fox eat the whole chicken??

[fmernyer]

A brief search said that a fox will want to eat the chicken whole - but are my chickens big enough? They're 9 month red sex links so I'm guessing they're about full size. Plump as far as I know. The fix was big - mid sized dog, maybe? But still - there's only a few feathers. No blood. No body parts. Should I keep looking for her???


While I'm typing its back looking fo rmore. Thank goodness they;re in the coop. If its back does that mean he finished her and didn't bury a body for later? Should I look for an injured bird?

 

[sourland]

My guess is that the fox has either hidden or cached your chicken. It has returned for more. Greet it with a shotgun the next time it appears. Now that it has had success at catching one of your chickens it will be back. Good luck.

 

[redsoxs]

I'm with sourland. I think there would be lots of feathers plus maybe the feet. May have hauled it off to her den. Sorry to hear about your loss.

 

[fmernyer]

I was hoping when it came back the second time it would give away its hiding spot but it just went back under the coop sniffing for more. I was hopeful that was a sign that it was unsuccessful the first time. :/

 

[fmernyer]

Also - I saw it running away the first time - snout empty. Again - hopeful.

Thanks for your help and kind words! Shotgun it is!

 

[fmernyer]

Not gonna believe my luck: the missing chicken came walking out of the woods. She looks shell shocked and she's losing feathers. I tried looking for marks on her but didn't see. I'm going to feed them some warm oatmeal and then take her indoors where there's better light and hope that there's no teeth marks.

Any other advice? I'm guessing I'll keep them cooped up tomorrow and maybe longer in the hopes that the fox loses interest. We haven't got much of a run so I guess we're down to supervised ranging. Poor chickies.

 

[Suzie]

Wow! I am so pleased to hear that your chicken survived! The fox will be back... no doubt, you need to keep your flock safe until this predator is dispensed of!

A fox killed one of my geese - al that was left was a few feathers and very little else - luckily the fox was shot two days later by the local hunters.

Good luck and happy hunting!

Suzie

 

[sourland]

Buy a lottery ticket while your luck is still hot. Good news.

 

[Miss Lydia]

 

[fmernyer]

Yeah - seriously - I'm a lucky gal!
Thanks for everyone's quick response - I love this site!