AN unfortunate fox was pecked to death by four fearsome chickens after breaking into their coop.The crafty creature got more than he bargained for when he slunk under the birds' pen, hoping for a quick bite.

AN unfortunate fox met a grisly end when he was pecked to death by four fearsome chickens after breaking into their coop.

The crafty creature got more than he bargained for when he slunk under the birds' pen, hoping for a quick bite.

Feisty cockerel Dude and his three hens, Izzy, Pongo and Pecky turned on the cunning raider on Friday night.

Owner Michelle Cordell, 43, found the hen-pecked corpse in the coop the next morning.

Miss Cordell, from Basildon in Essex, said: “It's like revenge of the chicken.

“I was shocked. When I opened up the door, the chickens came running out, happy as anything.”

A small table in the corner of the coop had been kicked over and was lying next to the fox's head.

Miss Cordell is in no doubt Dude was the ringleader in the gruesome crime.

“It looks like the fox bit off more than he could chew this time,” she said. “Dude thinks he is human and chases our dogs around the garden, pecking them.

“Now he is a murderer.”