Fox or Dog attack?

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Yesterday morning found carnage in our chicken pen, out of 8 hens, 3 were dead, 1 had to be despatched, the remaining 3 are still alive, with severe puncture wounds to neck and chest and rump. my cockeral is missing just several of his feathers on the outside of the pen. None of the dead chickens had their heads removed.

The pen is fenced at 5ft with no roof but the wire is buried 2ft all the way round. There are no signs of an entry point anywhere around the pen. Have had the chickens like this for almost 2 years with no problems, and have never seen any signs or smelt a fox.

Any suggestions on a culprit, or advice on caring for the 3 injured ones,
currently they are on critical care solution, baytril and metacam injections. Two of them are having trouble holding their necks up, but they are very bruised, and there seems to be improvement since the treatment started
 
Aw I'm so sorry to hear about your bad luck!!! I'm pretty new to it all but I no at the farm the dogs don't seem to bother with the chickens when there is a cockerel about!! What a shame sorry I can't help you much but I'm sure someone will be able to help!! I hope the injured ones get better soon!!!
 
I'm sorry to hear about the attack to your hens! Sounds a bit of a mystery but as a newcomer to hen keeping i've been obsessed with keeping my Pekins safe and secure and read many horror stories on the net. I'd only had the hens 4 days when i caught a lanky fox in my garden by my rabbit hutch by the patio doors (thanks to to her warning thumps). It had to scale a 6ft fence with trellis, Prikka strip and anti-cat spikes, it still managed though!! I've also heard of bird of prey attacks and badger too. My betting is a fox though! I hope they getting better soon.
 
When I was a lad we had a similar attack from a fox. A Badger is a bit more nasty in my experience. I have seen them get into a hen house at night and attack the girls from thier behind. Very unpleasant. :x

I hope your survivors pull through... I suggest you keep a watch though... It's around Cubbing time iirc. Those Vixens are hungry. :-)09
 
Hello, doesn't sound like a fox to me- a fox, if given enough time without being disturbed, would kill them all and take their heads off- any mink in your area? Stoats? Hope your birds recover- but whatever it was will probably be back- so lock them up and keep your eyes open.
regards, David
 
Really sorry to hear that such a horrible thing has happened. I don,t know what could have caused it but just wanted to say that I hope your injured ones survive.
 
So sorry to hear. I can't shed any light on the attacker I'm afraid but do feel for you - have just suffered what I'm pretty sure is a dog attack so know how you feel.
 
i honey wrapped the duck after dog attack and bites were deep worked wonders after 3 days took off bandages and all the muck was gone no infections she still good yearish later no scaring no chemicals nothing that can poison
 
I think you have a fox, 6 foot is easy to climb. Normally a fox in an enclosed place will kill everything, and bury the bodies to dig up later. Am I right in reading the cockerel was taken? Foxes will if given time take the bodies away to dig up later.
I am very sorry, must have been a terrible shock for you, :( it does sound like you are doing everything possible to support the injured birds.
In the meantime have a good look at your security, particulary the roof, and robustness of your poultry housing.
 
A fox will climb a 5' fence, especially if it needs a substantial meal quickly and it can see chickens within easy reach. It will kill more than one with the intention of coming back for the other carcasses. Some remove heads, some don't. You can go for long periods and everything seems safe, then you get an attack.
Early hours of the morning a particularly bad time which is why hens need to be shut into secure housing at night and let out when owners are up and about, though even this is no guarantee to keep foxes away.

Attacks like this are one of the most difficult things to come to terms with.
 
Hi
I am sorry for your loss, either a fox or dog attack. 5ft is easy for a fox to jump over.

I do hope your injured birds recover.
 
Thanks to all who replied, I'm swaying towards a fox attack!!!. In the process of building a pen closer to the house and the dog kennel.

Of the 3 survivors, 1 is doing well, back outside and laying and eating. The other 2 are really struggling with their necks, they are very bruised, so I am feeding them liquid mash. They are much brighter but cannot hold their neck upright, just wondering if the damage may be permanent? they have showed increased neck movement since Sunday, but are along way from feeding themselves!!!
 
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