fox
Alektorophobia keeps fox in one place: 4 stories so far. The section currently leads with “That cheeky fox found the one loose board and took five of my flock”, “Foxed again: Seeking a permanent fix after losing another favorite hen”, and “Bald Spots and Backyard Moves: When Hen Feathers Go Missing”. Oh, that *cheeky* fox. Losing a second favorite hen in one year hits different, that's not just fowl play, that's heartbreak with feathers. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. The list below is every fox story on Alektorophobia, newest first.
That cheeky fox found the one loose board and took five of my flock
Oh, that *cheeky* fox. Five of your flock gone in one sneaky midnight heist, and the worst part? Three vanished without a single feather as evidence. That's not just fowl play, that's a magic trick. I'm so sorry for your loss, and I totally get the urge to search every bush within a fifty-yard radius. The good news? Your four escapees are tough cookies, and that one injured hen is a survivor. The missing three? Honestly, foxes don't usually leave a clean crime scene unless they're stashing a snack. But hope isn't irrational here, chickens are craftier than we give them credit for. You've already locked down the coop like Fort Knox, which is cluck-tastic.
Foxed again: Seeking a permanent fix after losing another favorite hen
Losing a second favorite hen in one year hits different, that's not just fowl play, that's heartbreak with feathers. I feel for you, and I respect that you're eyeing the cordless hole puncher solution, but let's talk about something that actually keeps the flock intact. Permanent deterrence is tricky because foxes are clever little opportunists, but they're also creatures of habit. Electric netting has saved more than a few of my feathered friends, and motion-activated lights or sprinklers can throw off their midnight sneak attacks. If removal is on the table, that's a decision only you can make, but securing the coop first might save you the trouble. For more egg-citing coop chaos, check out "Fuzzy butts everywhere" for some lighter poultry problems.
Bald Spots and Backyard Moves: When Hen Feathers Go Missing
Well, isn't this a real feathery pickle? Five red hens, a fresh yard, and now two of them are sporting bald spots that have nothing to do with molting and everything to do with… something. I get it: change is stressful, and your flock is clearly feeling it. You did the right thing ruling out mites, but if those feathers aren't growing back, I'd wager this isn't a bug problem, it's a pecking-order problem dressed up in fancy feather loss. When the lead-up to a move keeps them cooped up, boredom turns to bullying, and those back spots are classic targets. The missing tail feathers on the others? That just screams "we're renegotiating who's boss" after losing their head hen.
Mink-Proof Your Coop Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Hens)
Five hens in one night. That's not just a loss, that's a gut punch delivered by something with teeth and a talent for fowl play. I read about your mink attack, and honestly, my heart sank with yours. It's completely understandable that you're a wreck; you did everything right, and it still wasn't enough. That kind of betrayal by the universe leaves a mark. The badger on the trail cam is the stuff of nightmares, and I'm not going to pretend it isn't. But here's the thing: you rebuilt that coop with more love and steel zip ties than a hardware store has inventory. That's not crazy, that's dedication.