7 April 2015, 14:06
Sorry to hear that BM, but it's part and parcel of keeping chickens,
When we had chickens we regularly had foxes in the area but fortunately we didn't lose any chickens to them, this was achieved by having 5 foot high mesh around their area which was also dug down into the ground by a further 12 inches, plus the dogs were regularly present. Also in areas around the netting where there was soft ground we would lay old paving slabs or breeze blocks over it, as we also did around the entrance gate to prevent Mr Fox digging his way in.
All that kept them safe from foxes, but not from the Sparrowhawks!
When we had chickens we regularly had foxes in the area but fortunately we didn't lose any chickens to them, this was achieved by having 5 foot high mesh around their area which was also dug down into the ground by a further 12 inches, plus the dogs were regularly present. Also in areas around the netting where there was soft ground we would lay old paving slabs or breeze blocks over it, as we also did around the entrance gate to prevent Mr Fox digging his way in.
All that kept them safe from foxes, but not from the Sparrowhawks!