Broad daylight, about 7PM, I’m relaxing (finally!) in an air-conditioned house, reading a book, after a long/hot day of work outside … when I hear the chicken flock sound off in “alarm mode” just outside.
I stand up, look out and down, and see a fox and my alpha rooster going at it right next to my truck, about 30 yards from where I stood.
Instinctively I yelled, then sent Hunter out and grabbed the “ready alert” 12 gauge (Remington Versamax Tactical) heading out the door.
I don’t think Hooey ever figured out what was going on, because she went about as far as my truck and came back. Come to think about it … I was yelling to call her off, so I guess she was doing as told. I didn’t get her back in the house, but she saw the shotgun and knows what it does … so she stayed behind me. Yes, she’s that smart.
When I got about half way to the donkey pasture, I saw the donkeys standing there (together) about 50 feet inside the gate, looking SW. Then I saw the fox under the pasture tree, right where the donks were looking. The fox no longer had a bird in his mouth, and both roosters (alpha and beta) where just inside the donk pasture, facing the fox, and alarming their heads off.
I stopped moving forward and stood still. Waited about 5 seconds, and saw the fox turn around and start running back to the scene of the crime. I figured he must have dropped his chicken and was trying to run back and snatch it.
He ran right up on the donkeys, so I had to hold fire. But, he then hooked a left and started running towards the driveway. I let him reach the driveway then opened up with the 12 gauge with OO buck at about 40+ yards … a bit long for buckshot, but caught him with the second round and spun him around. Got up and started limping away, so I put him down for good with 2 more rounds, same range.
If you look closely (or freeze the video) when I get close to the downed fox, you can see where all the buckshot struck the ground around him on the final two shots.
Did a quick “after action” check and found that it was the alpha roo that was going toe-to-toe with the fox. The last thing I saw before bolting out of the house, was a red bird in the foxes mouth. He had it by the neck. Apparently either the fox dragged the roo about 100 feet into the donkey pasture, or perhaps he dropped the roo and the roo continued to engage and defend. Not sure.
But, there is obvious evidence (feathers) the fox and alpha roo went at it right where you see the donkeys standing in the video.
When I play the initial engagement back in my head, both roosters did their jobs PERFECTLY. They were both positioned between the fox and the flock, both facing the predator, standing tall, and alarming LOUDLY.
Those that know me know that I hate killing any animal. I would NEVER kill a fox, coyote, skunk (etc.) except to protect my family, which includes my chickens, ducks, rabbits … and Hooey.
It wasn’t fun … I’m not happy about it … but I am (obviously) very proud of the two roo’s for their defense of the flock.
Gotta do whatcha gotta do …
Now that I think about it further … some of you may recall another episode a few months ago where my alpha roo had obviously tangled with something and lost most of his tail feathers. Pretty much in the same exact spot. I’m speculating this fox and my roo have mixed it up before.
For anybody thinking about free-ranging a flock of chickens, THIS is why you need at least one rooster. I maintain two, and primary (alpha) and a backup (beta). I’ve also lost about 5 roosters in the last two years to predators. When the attack comes, a good rooster will not shy away from a fight, and will give his life in defense of the flock. Brave birds. They aren’t stupid, they know what they’re getting into, but they do it anyway. Sorta like U.S. Marines that way. 😉