Well I know I'm going to get a "I told you so" from mum, but tonight something killed half of my free range chickens.
Six dead, I managed to find two bodies but I guess the fox carried off the rest. I hate it when this happens.
The trouble is it makes me ask myself some questions:
Should I keep free range chickens?
There's no stopping a free range fox. Is it unfair to them to let them have this risk or to my own pocket? I genuinely enjoy having them about the place and getting up to their mischievous antics but it's obviously going to happen again.
Also what should I do with the six that are left?
I can add them to my other flock (seven birds) which is in a semi fox proof pen, but with a randy cockerel and I'm sure they'll be some fighting with the other hens. Or let them take their chances, although if the fox is on "cubbing" then I know she'll be back - this attack must have been bold as brass in daylight as all the chickens were scratching about the place when I left to do a job this evening.
Bugger.
