Unwelcome visitor

[rick]

There was a commotion this morning with the girls and Linden throwing themselves at the sides of the run. None hurt but a large animal was moving behind the neighbours fence. They are familiar with the local cats so I can only think it was a fox.
I've closed the pop hole to the un-secure extension to the run. It's that time of year I guess when the predators are feeling the pinch.

 

[Hen-Gen]

Years ago in England, rick, I had all the growers that I was keeping in a shed with the pop hole closed. One morning I went down to check on them and found a fox in the shed and all my growers heaped in the corner and covered in wood shavings. The fox had obviously opened the pop hole with its nose but from the inside the pop hole sat in rebated timber so it couldn't open it to escape.
I also reported as a result of a question that I just stood back and let the fox go. This earned me considerable criticism. Some thought I should have killed the fox whereas I thought I should fix a bolt to the pop hole. Funny old thing life, innit.

 

[Margaid]

Can you go next door and look for fox poo Rick? If it was only this morning you might still be able to smell fox.

 

[rick]

I think that showed an extraordinary presence of mind and rationality Hen-gen! Fox will be fox and we have to keep them out. It's interesting that it obviously was trying to bury its catch in the wood shavings to return for later.
I will check with my neighbour when I get a chance Margaid. These are tiny terrace back gardens and it probably wasn't in there for very long but I'll see if there is any sign.
The 'pop hole' is more of a removable panel and it's very secure when in place. It's a shame though that bit of extra space will be out of bounds now during the day unless I am literally in the run or the garden for the afternoon - it happened at 10am in the morning!

 

[bigyetiman]

Foxes don't care what time of day it is. My neighbour had one run past her and grab a hen at 2.30pm at Easter time last year.
Great story Hen-Gen as you say it's a funny old life