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Catnip5 said:
Since I originated the thread perhaps I should conclude it by saying that it has been a lively discussion of varied viewpoints and I appreciate all the suggestions put forth. It has indeed been enlightening...and a bit frightening at the same time, LOL. I am thrilled that the solution that I found the most ethically acceptable for me personally, an electric fence, has thus far proven to be remarkably successful. I have indeed incorporated multiple layers of protection for the girls and hope that these efforts, in conjunction with ongoing personal education (chicken newbie), will enable my little flock of 12 and me, to live long happy peaceful lives while also allowing the resident wildlife a right to exist in peaceful co-habitation...beyond the protective perimeter the girls now call home.

The End. ?

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Haa, man this thread went off the rails. Glad to see the fence is working out for you. Mine has been up going on 4yrs without a loss to a ground based predator. They are still around, but they won't even approach that fence (Or netting, whatev). Still consider it, outside their coop, the best thing I did for my birds.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
JackE said:
Haa, man this thread went off the rails. Glad to see the fence is working out for you. Mine has been up going on 4yrs without a loss to a ground based predator. They are still around, but they won't even approach that fence (Or netting, whatev). Still consider it, outside their coop, the best thing I did for my birds.
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Hi JackE! Ah...ya, it surely did. Glad you responded - gives me the opportunity to thank you again for your suggstions. I went with that BlackJack 57 stuff for the floor and opted out of insulating the coop after reading a few of your replies to other posters. You've been an awesome resource! Fencing is working out great, doesn't look as intrusive and ugly as I thought it might (went with the green/black premier permanet double spike) and best of all it has kept the flock safe for a solid week so far (unsupervised) - yeah, peace of mind for me and happy "free-ranging" chickens.
Looks like the wisest thing I did for my birds too - THANKS AGAIN :)
 
Hi, We have mostly 7ft deer fencing around our coop Atop the fence posts we hammered in U shaped nails. Then strung fishing line like filament in crisscross pattern over top of the run, across its length and breadth. We also tied short lengths flagging tape to each overhead strand. This has kept out hawks and should do for you too.

I like your chicken tractor. We made a very crude one I'm now thinking to convert into a cold frame to protect tender season (non-frost resistant) veges in our garden. You've re-inspired me to look up chicken tractor designs, cuz our garden and land can use that dual benefit of superficial tilling & fertilizing. Thanks & Good Luck
 
This thread has been cleaned up. Folks, if you see a post that is out of line, please report it and do not respond. For the most part, this thread has been respectful of different viewpoints..........lets keep it that way.
 
Hi All! It's been weeks since I started this thread in response to dealing with a local fox. I was dead set against fencing when I purchased my chicks...thought it would be ugly and ruin the beautiful views I have around the property. I was all about the idyllic free-ranging lifestyle and figured I'd take my chances if and when a predator showed up. Ha, how naive I was. It didn't take long for local and hungry fox to show up. First one I lost I had no clue what had happened -just a small batch of feathers and I had been home and never heard a thing. Second time was a week later a fox jumped out of the surrounding woods and nabbed one of my girls not 30 feet away from where I was standing chatting with my neighbor. Then I knew what happened to the first girl. Then I tried trapping (only caught baby skunks), scarecrows (decorative, sort of), sonic alarms (cat walks right by them, lol) and wolf urine (complete waste of $$$)...lost my last girl foolishly thinking the wolf urine had worked as I had a full day of free-ranging with no sighting only to lose my third the following day. That was the end of my attempt to live with free-ranging risks. After starting the thread and engaging in a whole lot of lively debate I went with what every species could live with - human, fox, chickens and other predators and bought the premier1 perma-net electric fencing. Went all out with 300 feet and since I turned that fence on I haven't had a single issue with said fox. The first few nights the skunks bumped into it but quickly learned and moved on to other venues. I've never seen the fox again - I suspect he/she got bitten a few times and that was that. I have total peace of mind with the fencing and the girls can semi-free range in peace. It's not the entire yard but they've got the favorite spots within the fenced perimeter. Going with the green fence was the best choice as it blends into the surrounding so visually it isn't disruptive or intrusive at all. I've still got the sonic sensors (useless), the nighttime preditor lights (no harm done - always seemed to do the trick at night around the coop) and all that wolf urine is likely still out in the woods (complete waste of money) but nothing gave me peace of mind but that fence. Happy I went with fencing instead of a run though I'm not sure what to expect with winter in Maine. I will likely take down the majority of the fence and just keep a small section to act as a protected run. The remaining 12 girls, from my original 15, will be 19 weeks old tomorrow and I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first egg any day I hope. Can't help but wonder what Mae, Barbara & Lana would have looked like now that the other girls are nearly grown. Hard lessons learned indeed. Would still welcome the fox outside the fence - it was a beautiful creature. Really enjoyed the lively debate and learned several lessons along the way. Peaceful co-existance is a much happier way to live...PEACE OUT!
 
Catnip5 said:
Hi All! It's been weeks since I started this thread in response to dealing with a local fox. I was dead set against fencing when I purchased my chicks...thought it would be ugly and ruin the beautiful views I have around the property. I was all about the idyllic free-ranging lifestyle and figured I'd take my chances if and when a predator showed up. Ha, how naive I was. It didn't take long for local and hungry fox to show up. First one I lost I had no clue what had happened -just a small batch of feathers and I had been home and never heard a thing. Second time was a week later a fox jumped out of the surrounding woods and nabbed one of my girls not 30 feet away from where I was standing chatting with my neighbor. Then I knew what happened to the first girl. Then I tried trapping (only caught baby skunks), scarecrows (decorative, sort of), sonic alarms (cat walks right by them, lol) and wolf urine (complete waste of $$$)...lost my last girl foolishly thinking the wolf urine had worked as I had a full day of free-ranging with no sighting only to lose my third the following day. That was the end of my attempt to live with free-ranging risks. After starting the thread and engaging in a whole lot of lively debate I went with what every species could live with - human, fox, chickens and other predators and bought the premier1 perma-net electric fencing. Went all out with 300 feet and since I turned that fence on I haven't had a single issue with said fox. The first few nights the skunks bumped into it but quickly learned and moved on to other venues. I've never seen the fox again - I suspect he/she got bitten a few times and that was that. I have total peace of mind with the fencing and the girls can semi-free range in peace. It's not the entire yard but they've got the favorite spots within the fenced perimeter. Going with the green fence was the best choice as it blends into the surrounding so visually it isn't disruptive or intrusive at all. I've still got the sonic sensors (useless), the nighttime preditor lights (no harm done - always seemed to do the trick at night around the coop) and all that wolf urine is likely still out in the woods (complete waste of money) but nothing gave me peace of mind but that fence. Happy I went with fencing instead of a run though I'm not sure what to expect with winter in Maine. I will likely take down the majority of the fence and just keep a small section to act as a protected run. The remaining 12 girls, from my original 15, will be 19 weeks old tomorrow and I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first egg any day I hope. Can't help but wonder what Mae, Barbara & Lana would have looked like now that the other girls are nearly grown. Hard lessons learned indeed. Would still welcome the fox outside the fence - it was a beautiful creature. Really enjoyed the lively debate and learned several lessons along the way. Peaceful co-existance is a much happier way to live...PEACE OUT!
Click to expand...
I wonder at times how some of my chickens that have passed would have looked like if they still were alive, too...
I am glad that the fence seems to have worked out without killing anyone. I hope it continues to work for you in the future.
 
LeafBlade12345 said:
Many people do great with electric fences. No offense, but it would be a littler kinder to be happy for the OP instead of telling him/her that they just wasted time and money. Foxes and most other wild animals are fast learners, one snout full of that fence and they shouldn't come back anytime soon. I don't think that you understood, the OP did not say that they chased the fox off than decided they did not need the electric fence, they still installed it. They only chased the fox in the heat of the moment, they could not just let it kill their chickens. I am very happy for you Catnip5, great job finding a good, non lethal option! I hope all goes well, keep us updated on the pros and cons of your fence!
Click to expand...
Yep.


I only have two strands. one at approx 5 inches... one at 12 to 18 inches. Has not been breached. I leave the coop doors open. Foxes scream and cry from neighbors property, but DO NOT eat my chickens (winning!) and no fuss no muss.

Hawks are another thing, one flew down in front my face...my yard has so much stuff in it, trees, swing sets and wire round pens (to protect the grass), it was a small hawk too! couldn't make a catch! ...I watched. Sat in the big tree a while then flew off. (my smart chickens stayed under cover for many hours)
 

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