Cock as a deterrent to fox attacks

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Cock as a deterrent to fox attacks

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Went

Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 6968

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 13 4:36 pm Post subject: Cock as a deterrent to fox attacks
Following several devastating day time fox attacks on chickens our friend has been told that having a cockerel will help protect them by either confrontation (forfeiting his own life) or by raising the alarm - is there any truth to this and would it help at all? Thanks

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 13 4:49 pm Post subject:
No, he'll just be something a little extra on the menu for the red **********

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 13 4:55 pm Post subject:
I've no experience with cocks but I expect it would be similar to when one of our hens chased a fox off. The fox ran off to start with but within a few seconds was beginning to change his mind. I.e. you might gain a few seconds but the end result will be the same.

Bodger

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 13524

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 13 6:26 pm Post subject:
"I've no experience with cocks" snigger

Finsky

Joined: 10 Sep 2011
Posts: 847
Location: Notts.

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 13 6:32 pm Post subject:
I've known many cocks... ..that did end up on fox's menu..they might alarm the girls of the fox but actually protecting his girls might be too much for even most fearsome fighter.

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4630
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Thu Apr 04, 13 6:34 pm Post subject:
I had an odd trio, if anything was doing the protection it was the Orpington hen. Once she went, the other two did as well (one little brown hen and one Welsummer cock). I decided the local foxes hadn't known what to make of the perambulating mop of doom

Woodburner

Joined: 28 Apr 2006
Posts: 2904
Location: Essex

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 13 12:10 am Post subject:
It depends on the cockerel, some will just run away, but even the best are not invulnerable

Andrea

Joined: 02 May 2005
Posts: 2260
Location: Portugal

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 13 6:50 am Post subject:

As Woodburner says, it does depend on the cock. We had a cock who saw off an eagle who grabbed one of the girls once! We'd never seen it fly before and were astonished that it could even get off the ground!

Our latest cock would warn his ladies and chivvy them inside the house if a strange dog was about. Unfortunately he took his defence duties too far and ended up being Easter lunch after taking to attacking the kids though!

On the other hand, we've also had a cock taken by a dog so they can't really defend themselves despite putting up a decent fight.

At the very least, a cock would make a hell of a row and allow your friends a bit of warning. Sounds like a good quality foxproof run is what your friends really need. Or some chicken friendly dogs.

Rob R

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 31902
Location: York

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 13 8:20 am Post subject: Re: Cock as a deterrent to fox attacks

Wentworth wrote:

Following several devastating day time fox attacks on chickens our friend has been told that having a cockerel will help protect them by either confrontation (forfeiting his own life) or by raising the alarm - is there any truth to this and would it help at all?

It would help if you had a surfeit of cocks, and hens, to dispose of.

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