Our first year with Aunty Barbara, our Livestock Guard Dog
Before Barb, it was open season on chickens and any stored feed. We effectively had a neon sign above the barn flashing “Open Late!” Attracted were all types of predators common to Kentucky: possum, raccoons, and foxes. (We never encountered coyotes, probably given the proximity of house to barn). Despite the lack of coyote sightings, there were hoards of others. Fox were the main problem with the chickens. Rumors have gone around that a neighbor has supported the breeding and release of fox in the area to promote fox hunting. With or without a breeding neighbor, our chickens were attacked mercilessly by foxes. Foxes kill for sport (as many as possible) then make off with one or two. The sight of a dozen chickens in various states of dismemberment is one of the most demoralizing things we have encountered on farm. But it was becoming frequent, and coupled with raccoons gorging themselves on feed, we finally quit chickens altogether.
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