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Leo
Joined: 25 Feb 2011 Posts: 227
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Bodger
Joined: 23 May 2006 Posts: 13524
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Rob R
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 31902 Location: York
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Ty Gwyn
Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Posts: 4563 Location: Lampeter
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gardening-girl
Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 6024 Location: Somerset.
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woodsprite
Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 2943 Location: North Herefordshire
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Bebo
Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 12590 Location: East Sussex
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Leo
Joined: 25 Feb 2011 Posts: 227
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Posted: Sat May 04, 13 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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We are sure it was a badger, seen the prints in the snow over several winters. The damage to the coop was considerably bigger than a fox would have needed & fine wihte hairs on the rough edges of the wood, along with long, deep claw marks where the wood had been pulled clean off.
All the hens that died had major head injuries, presumably panick flight in a confined space. All were badly bitten & some had been chewed, many around the breast & under the wings. 2 hens were scalped & 4 had swollen eyes & heads. From the bite marks, this was a sizeable jaw, looked like it had bitten at them as they passed him in panick.
I can't get the image out of my head of when I opened the pop door, dying hens piled up inside the door, but not dead.
They are now in a different, stronger coop, & closer to the house. |
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Bebo
Joined: 21 May 2007 Posts: 12590 Location: East Sussex
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Lorrainelovesplants
Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 6521 Location: Dordogne
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Leo
Joined: 25 Feb 2011 Posts: 227
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Posted: Sun May 05, 13 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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From your replies it sounds like this type of attack is much more common than the 'Badger enthusasts' would have us believe!
The coop is now useless, since the attack, but the remaining chickens are in a smaller, more robust coop right next to the house.
We also have a trio of tiny banties, who now have their night time accomodation in the house!
The flock was free ranging in the daytime, & other than the odd fox trying it's luck (hasn't suceeded yet), they have done well. I guess it's their night time security we need to bump up. Might try the wire inside the coop, thanks for that.
The injured hen still survives, doesn't look to have more than superficial injuries & a black eye, but looks very depressed. |
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