Foxes kill Prince Charles’s Highgrove chickens

Prince Charles's country estate is plagued by foxes which are killing his chickens.

Charles is said to be "saddened" at the deaths of more than 40 hens at Highgrove, in Gloucestershire.

The prince has ordered his gardeners "to keep an extra watchful eye" on the now 130-strong flock after foxes jumped a 4ft electric fence to reach them.

Staff have been told to move the chickens' protective wire enclosure regularly so grass does not grow around the base, weakening the current, a Clarence House spokeswoman said today.

The birds supply organic eggs to the Prince's farm shop, called the Veg Shed, in Tetbury, and the attacks have caused a shortage.

Customers say no eggs have been available on some days recently.

The spokeswoman added: "The foxes have managed to jump the fence and kill the hens during the daytime when they are outside.

"The foxes come in and pick them off two or three at a time. They are kept in a busy part of the garden but the foxes seem very cunning."

She added: "Charles is a country man and he knows this goes with the territory. But he feels it's sad and unfortunate and obviously wants the attacks to stop."

The Prince's personal collection of chickens, which are kept closer to the house and supply eggs for his breakfast table, have not been attacked so far.