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The Fox Busters
A community of chickens continually preyed on by hungry foxes is saved by the birth of three wonder chicks, who grow into magnificent flying machines and lead a climactic barnyard battle.
117 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 1978
14 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
Dick King-Smith
332 books307 followersDick King-Smith was born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, surrounded by pet animals. After twenty years as a farmer, he turned to teaching and then to writing children's books.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.
Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
Dick writes mostly about animals: farmyard fantasy, as he likes to call it, often about pigs, his special favorites. He enjoys writing for children, meeting the children who read his books, and knowing that they get enjoyment from what he does.
Among his well-loved books is Babe, The Gallant Pig, which was recently made into a major motion picture, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Dick lived with his wife in a small 17th-century cottage, about three miles from the house where he was born.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 25, 2019
Debuting in 1978, The Fox Busters was Dick King-Smith's first novel, and its theme of the bullied fighting back would remain a mainstay of the author's work for the rest of his career. On Foxearth Farm, foxes have always preyed on chickens, but recently the pecking order is changing. Because the chickens caught first were always the foolish ones, natural selection has steered the farm's chicken population to be smarter, faster, and have better eyesight to detect foxes lurking in the shadows. The chickens have also developed the true ability to fly, which makes escaping from predators a cinch. They're killed by foxes much less often than once was the case, and Farmer Farmer (yes, that's the farmer's name!) is glad. On occasion a lucky fox nabs a complacent hen, but even that might end with the birth of three extraordinary pullets.
Like all chickens of Foxearth Farm, Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies are named from scraps of human writing found around the barn. The only female offspring of Spillers, a highly intelligent hen, and Massey-Harris, a brash, brave rooster, Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies prove themselves special shortly after birth. Their wing feathers seem designed to fly, and they do so better than any other chicken. They're unusually smart, and with them helping protect against predators, Foxearth Farm is safer than ever. But Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies have counterparts among the foxes: four bright young cubs who have never eaten chicken and are desperate for a taste. The four hatch a plan and slaughter a great number of chickens, but Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies won't be caught off guard like that a second time. A deadly game is on between these four foxes and three chickens.
Foxes are predators and chickens their victims; that's how it's always been. But what if chickens refused to accept that? What if three talented young hens could turn their bodies into weapons against the foxes? Spillers hits upon a brilliant idea for her children to reverse polarity and be the aggressor against the foxes. If any bird can pull it off, Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies are the ones. The stage is set for a battle royale between the best of the foxes and the best of the chickens. Will nature resume the course it has taken since time immemorial, or will the fowl of Foxearth Farm revolutionize the barnyard's social order? We're about to find out.
Whether you favor Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies or the four hungry young foxes, the reason they become leaders of their respective groups is their innovative thinking. Not satisfied with the status quo if it isn't working, they teach themselves new skills to gain every advantage against their adversaries, and are successful to at least some degree. That's the way natural leaders view the world. The Fox Busters is clever and fun; not as deep as some of Dick King-Smith's later novels, but engaging nonetheless. You'll have a good time losing yourself in the story.
Like all chickens of Foxearth Farm, Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies are named from scraps of human writing found around the barn. The only female offspring of Spillers, a highly intelligent hen, and Massey-Harris, a brash, brave rooster, Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies prove themselves special shortly after birth. Their wing feathers seem designed to fly, and they do so better than any other chicken. They're unusually smart, and with them helping protect against predators, Foxearth Farm is safer than ever. But Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies have counterparts among the foxes: four bright young cubs who have never eaten chicken and are desperate for a taste. The four hatch a plan and slaughter a great number of chickens, but Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies won't be caught off guard like that a second time. A deadly game is on between these four foxes and three chickens.
Foxes are predators and chickens their victims; that's how it's always been. But what if chickens refused to accept that? What if three talented young hens could turn their bodies into weapons against the foxes? Spillers hits upon a brilliant idea for her children to reverse polarity and be the aggressor against the foxes. If any bird can pull it off, Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies are the ones. The stage is set for a battle royale between the best of the foxes and the best of the chickens. Will nature resume the course it has taken since time immemorial, or will the fowl of Foxearth Farm revolutionize the barnyard's social order? We're about to find out.
Whether you favor Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies or the four hungry young foxes, the reason they become leaders of their respective groups is their innovative thinking. Not satisfied with the status quo if it isn't working, they teach themselves new skills to gain every advantage against their adversaries, and are successful to at least some degree. That's the way natural leaders view the world. The Fox Busters is clever and fun; not as deep as some of Dick King-Smith's later novels, but engaging nonetheless. You'll have a good time losing yourself in the story.
August 10, 2018
A hoot. More adventurous, more violent, and a bit longer than most of the author's animal fantasies, but that's actually all to the good. I'm glad that it's not Americanized, too... child readers can certainly enjoy a story with some British vocabulary in it.
May 18, 2018
As a farmer I couldn't help but laugh at the antics of these chooks. If only there were more fox busters around. Dick King-Smith clearly knows his animals and how they tick. They way he built up the chicken society was so delightfully fanciful and yet so close to reality I could see some of my own chickens in amongst the fox earth flock.
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September 15, 2011Chapter one is called The Ambush and so from the outset Dick King Smith has our attention with “The Fox Busters”, the introduction is full of onomatopoeia, repetition and rhythm. The language is almost musical and flows easily from the page. It is most definitely a treasure for read aloud story time, for 6-8 year olds, as the vocabulary is descriptive and colourful throughout.
It is an animal adventure tale packed with action, curious questions and plenty of laughs. The story of three extraordinary hens and their struggle to protect the chickens of Foxearth farm presents moral dilemmas. It also questions the apparent notion of ‘survival of the fittest’ among the animal kingdom by allowing the underdogs, in this case the chickens, to triumph with witty, intellectual ideas and plans of action. Although graphic at times, for example chapter 7 The Great Raid (The Execution), it is a story of comradery, defiance and determination.
It is an animal adventure tale packed with action, curious questions and plenty of laughs. The story of three extraordinary hens and their struggle to protect the chickens of Foxearth farm presents moral dilemmas. It also questions the apparent notion of ‘survival of the fittest’ among the animal kingdom by allowing the underdogs, in this case the chickens, to triumph with witty, intellectual ideas and plans of action. Although graphic at times, for example chapter 7 The Great Raid (The Execution), it is a story of comradery, defiance and determination.
February 18, 2024
Hen-tertaining egg-scapade of foxes, feathers and very heavy eggs.
I thought I'd read this one, but definitely hadn't when I started it with my 6-year-old. For older children than Sheep Pig and Hodgeheg-type titles by King Smith, this has very complex sentences (hard to read aloud even for adults!) and advanced and sometimes old-fashioned vocabulary, my son really loved the story and the bits that went over his head certainly didn't put him off.
Foxearth Farm has some rather evolved chickens on it - they can actually fly, they have more than their fair share of wits about them and both are very useful when it comes to the relentless efforts of the local foxes to deplete their numbers.
It is only when one particular brood is hatched and shows particularly developed skills that the flock knows it may be time for the long-noses to get what they deserve. But while this is happening, there's a cunning young band of foxes as well, in training to take all the juicy birds they desire.
Back and forth between the two species goes the story, with a particular gruesome and graphic chapter that very young listeners/readers might be upset by, as the story builds to a climax as three pullets train and prepare for their parents' (well it's Mum really who's the brains) plan to be put into action, hopefully saving their flock.
We enjoyed this over a couple of weeks of bedtimes, it's one that older readers can read alone, my son certainly needed me to read this aloud, but he was gripped by the story and working out just what the chickens had in mind.
A bittersweet ending to it (a new word for the boy too!), but another wonderful farm-set tale for readers of around the ages of 6-10.
I thought I'd read this one, but definitely hadn't when I started it with my 6-year-old. For older children than Sheep Pig and Hodgeheg-type titles by King Smith, this has very complex sentences (hard to read aloud even for adults!) and advanced and sometimes old-fashioned vocabulary, my son really loved the story and the bits that went over his head certainly didn't put him off.
Foxearth Farm has some rather evolved chickens on it - they can actually fly, they have more than their fair share of wits about them and both are very useful when it comes to the relentless efforts of the local foxes to deplete their numbers.
It is only when one particular brood is hatched and shows particularly developed skills that the flock knows it may be time for the long-noses to get what they deserve. But while this is happening, there's a cunning young band of foxes as well, in training to take all the juicy birds they desire.
Back and forth between the two species goes the story, with a particular gruesome and graphic chapter that very young listeners/readers might be upset by, as the story builds to a climax as three pullets train and prepare for their parents' (well it's Mum really who's the brains) plan to be put into action, hopefully saving their flock.
We enjoyed this over a couple of weeks of bedtimes, it's one that older readers can read alone, my son certainly needed me to read this aloud, but he was gripped by the story and working out just what the chickens had in mind.
A bittersweet ending to it (a new word for the boy too!), but another wonderful farm-set tale for readers of around the ages of 6-10.
April 10, 2025
I really didn’t enjoy this book at all and I struggled to read though it. What I will say is that the author did a good job with the book and I can see why people like this book. I really liked the chickens as they were funny with all the antiques that they got up to. I really didn’t like the killings in the books as they were wrote in such detail and that made me feel sick sadly. The foxes in this book are bully animals. Overall not the best classic book I have written. Xxx
March 13, 2022
A fun read aloud with the kids. If you raise chickens and have had predator issues, you will enjoy this book.
October 7, 2012
The long nose foxes are on the warpath, hungry for meat, and more often than not they acquire their poultry needs. But something has changed. The fowls of Foxearth farm have rallied, and the ruthless foxes are beginning to realise that their prey is not as effortlessly slaughtered as once was.
The Fox Busters is a tale of farm yard tragedy and triumph. A coop of seemingly naïve and defenceless chickens come under attack from a skulk of foxes, but after three extraordinary sisters, Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies are hatched the battle dynamic shifts and the chickens evolve to eventually destroy their enemy. The accomplishment is a well planned and manufactured process in which the chickens plot and scheme throughout the story.
From spending much of his life on a farm it’s easy to see where King-Smith draws his inspiration from for this book. Because of the association he developed with the animals on his farm, he manages to create a humorous and action packed story of camaraderie and defiance.
Personally, I like The Fox Busters and its comic battles, although I must say I prefer The Sheep-Pig. I also feel that the story comes alive much more when read aloud and the amusing episodes would become much more apparent if used when read to students at story time, possibly at lower key stage 2 level. However, the book would still be a good one to have on a class book shelf for private reading at year 4/5 level in my opinion.
The Fox Busters is a tale of farm yard tragedy and triumph. A coop of seemingly naïve and defenceless chickens come under attack from a skulk of foxes, but after three extraordinary sisters, Ransome, Sims, and Jefferies are hatched the battle dynamic shifts and the chickens evolve to eventually destroy their enemy. The accomplishment is a well planned and manufactured process in which the chickens plot and scheme throughout the story.
From spending much of his life on a farm it’s easy to see where King-Smith draws his inspiration from for this book. Because of the association he developed with the animals on his farm, he manages to create a humorous and action packed story of camaraderie and defiance.
Personally, I like The Fox Busters and its comic battles, although I must say I prefer The Sheep-Pig. I also feel that the story comes alive much more when read aloud and the amusing episodes would become much more apparent if used when read to students at story time, possibly at lower key stage 2 level. However, the book would still be a good one to have on a class book shelf for private reading at year 4/5 level in my opinion.
May 14, 2020
A book full of crazy characters that uses old language for children to explore. Good for developing fluency and prosody when reading aloud. Great for exploring the farm setting especially for those children that have never been to one!
Can talk about Evolution and the food chain. Why did the chickens develop the skils to fly?
Fact or fiction research session- what did Dick-King Smith make up about chickens and what was factual? Could present to the class.
Use of - parentheses throughout.
Inference finding and prediction.
Coming up with solutions and problem solving can they think of any?
Can talk about Evolution and the food chain. Why did the chickens develop the skils to fly?
Fact or fiction research session- what did Dick-King Smith make up about chickens and what was factual? Could present to the class.
Use of - parentheses throughout.
Inference finding and prediction.
Coming up with solutions and problem solving can they think of any?
November 23, 2009
Not quite what I was expecting! More Roald Dahlish than the feel-good barnyard stories I usually associate with King-Smith. Farmer Farmer's chickens have been preyed upon by foxes for so long that they have evolved the ability to think, plan, and fly. Now, with the birth of three extraordinary chicks, it's time to bring the battle to the foxes. Filled with unexpected (to me) scenes of gore and violence and a questionable moral ending (foxes have to eat too, right?). Not coming to a theater near you anytime soon!
January 25, 2008
The first book by Dick King-Smith, featuring the highly evolved and intelligent chickens who have learned to escape from local foxes. Cleverly written wth animals taking on appropriate human traits, although rather violent in places. Probably appeals most to boys of about 8-11.
September 9, 2016
42 WORD REVIEW:
Endemic to an era when it was de rigueur for children’s authors themselves to be literate, this story remains a high-spirited classic: skills honed by natural selection, farmyard fowls fight to outwit then turn the tables on the foxes who hunt them.
Endemic to an era when it was de rigueur for children’s authors themselves to be literate, this story remains a high-spirited classic: skills honed by natural selection, farmyard fowls fight to outwit then turn the tables on the foxes who hunt them.
January 7, 2016
The author fought in WWII and this book is like a retelling of parts of the battles of that war. Brilliantly done, too. Just the right amount of detail, a cracking story and tons of adventure.
Loved it.
Loved it.
March 27, 2020
One of our favorite Dick King-Smith stories only got better when read. No, the chickens don't want to be eaten by the "Long Noses" but it takes a disaster and a squabble for them to go on the offensive.
April 20, 2024
A roll-on–the-floor laughing read. (5 stars)
Dick King-Smith is the prolific author of a host of humorous children's books, that are fantastic for reading out loud, or to get kids hooked on reading. His delightful humour is reminiscent of Roald Dahl's side splitting children’s’ favourites, and I’d rate this particular book just as good as those.
"The Fox Busters" is an excellent example of King-Smith's ability to entertain children as well as adults. Its wacky plot features chickens with special abilities who take revenge on foxes in a most hilarious manner, and is sure to please readers of all ages.
If you want a short, light and entertaining read, or want to get your children hooked on reading, this is the book for you!
Dick King-Smith is the prolific author of a host of humorous children's books, that are fantastic for reading out loud, or to get kids hooked on reading. His delightful humour is reminiscent of Roald Dahl's side splitting children’s’ favourites, and I’d rate this particular book just as good as those.
"The Fox Busters" is an excellent example of King-Smith's ability to entertain children as well as adults. Its wacky plot features chickens with special abilities who take revenge on foxes in a most hilarious manner, and is sure to please readers of all ages.
If you want a short, light and entertaining read, or want to get your children hooked on reading, this is the book for you!
February 20, 2021
Difficult to rate!
It's good of course - funny, stirring, poetic in places. Just as you would expect from Dick King Smith.
But... its also *really* violent and bloodsoaked, culminating in a frenzied battle scene. Definitely not one for sensitive or younger children, jolly cover illustrations nonwithstanding! The gory climax didn't make great bedtime reading for my 9 year old, who was reading an animal story because he loves animals rather than because he wanted a vivid description of them being ripped apart 😬
It's good of course - funny, stirring, poetic in places. Just as you would expect from Dick King Smith.
But... its also *really* violent and bloodsoaked, culminating in a frenzied battle scene. Definitely not one for sensitive or younger children, jolly cover illustrations nonwithstanding! The gory climax didn't make great bedtime reading for my 9 year old, who was reading an animal story because he loves animals rather than because he wanted a vivid description of them being ripped apart 😬
March 28, 2021
Read this with my daughter but I can't say either of us really enjoyed it. The story is fine (if surprisingly violent in places) but Dick King-Smith's writing style (at least in this, his first book) is overly-formal and needlessly wordy. It feels wrong to be criticising such an esteemed children's author and I must admit some of the human characterisations of the chickens and foxes were well sketched, but the book was quite a slog for both of us.
July 8, 2021
Probably closer to 3.5 stars. This is the same author of Babe (the sheep-pig). I saw this book and thought it might be a good read and a good book to pass along to a young (early elementary) reader. While I enjoyed the book, I felt like the fighting (and killing) between the chickens and foxes was probably a bit much for an early reader.
July 12, 2019
As a child, I loved how much I learned about chickens from reading this (like the fact they need grit to make eggshells), but as an adult who's had to separate male chickens & clean up the blood afterwards, I'm rather side-eyeing the depiction of the Foxearth flock having so many males in it...
October 16, 2019
One of my favourite books when i was like 6 or something
August 11, 2021
Fun as a child and still fun as an adult.
October 7, 2022
An old favourite which is worth revisiting occasionally. I listened to the audio, and had a nice trip down memory lane.
A good pace, nice concept and a fun story.
A good pace, nice concept and a fun story.
December 4, 2023
Well written, although not for very young children as it is a quite bloody story that does not shy away from rough side of nature. A great story about perseverance and never giving up.
March 29, 2024
The viscous circle of life. Somewhat gruesome for a children’s tale.
June 14, 2024
I enjoyed it as an adult but less sure about giving it yo a child. It’s a war story. Lots of violence and death.
February 2, 2025
This was a very strange story.
April 23, 2025
I thought this was very cute!! (And a nice way to motivate myself to read more)
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May 17, 2021Pretty intense for a kids’ farm book! War strategy, both valiant and senseless deaths, and steely-eyed revenge (plus interesting industry details and a lot of funny bits). This isn’t your grandma’s Dick King-Smith.
February 7, 2008
This is the funniest book ever!
March 28, 2008
Story of wily chickens who come up with a plan to beat a crafty fox at his own game. Great fun.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews