With regard to Bea Bradley's comments about my apparent lack of care in securing my poultry (Oxford Mail, September 8), I would point out they are unfounded.

We are very fond of the poultry and we like them to live to an old age. When the fox took our one remaining guinea fowl, which was considered a pet, it was in the early afternoon, not the time of day when they are locked.

Everything had been done to keep the fox out. I realise foxes have to eat and feed their young, but I wish they would find another resource.

Speaking of intellect, perhaps Ms Bradley hasn't grasped the point that foxes are not only predators during darkness. My friend in Kingston, Surrey, has given up keeping poultry, as the foxes are so unafraid of man that, while he was gardening during the day, they would snatch hens in front of him.

David Youd

Barlow Close

Wheatley