Fox Trouble....

Well it's this time of year again in Australia, the time that Foxes become an even bigger problem. I just lost one of my Phoenix to one of these foxes and I'm afraid for all the rest.

I don't know if we're allowed a gun licence here but if we are, do you recommend shooting them any way? They're a real pest down this way. What do I do before the rest are at the hands of a fox? I tried as hard as I could to predator proof the enclosure but Mr. Foxy Loxy got her while free ranging. In my experience the Fox kills the whole flock, but what happened was she disappeared and we searched for two hours around the pen and found no trace of her, do chickens normally do that? Then in the morning I found feathers everywhere, exactly where we were standing the night before. What was she doing out there?

Hope you can help

William

I don't recommend shooting the fox. Do you have a coop that they stay in at night? Are the foxes only getting them while they are free ranging or are the foxes getting into the enclosure? If the foxes are getting in the enclosure, do you now how and where they are getting in?

Yes I have a coop and outside area that's secluded with an overhead netting and wire under the ground and a pest wire around the enclosure. The fox only has got one while free ranging. But she was hiding and brooding, I looked around for 2 hours and didn't find her. But then in the morning I found her feathers.

Welcome to BYC, @WillGriffin03 and I hope you enjoy the site!

We get a grey fox here nearly every single night. The neighbors started feeding it, and then decided not to, and were astonished that the fox kept coming expecting food. They are really smart and once they have found an easy food source they will keep coming back to see if there is more food there. You can't really blame them. Life in the wild is hard.

Although you might be able to shoot this one fox, there are about a million more out there looking for new territory. In fact, shooting all the predators of chickens would be close to impossible. You could spend your whole life shooting 24/7 and not even come close to getting them all. It's far better to put your energy into making your coop and run safe, a saner and more obtainable goal.

Since this did not happen in your coop or run, and you say they are very secure, I will believe you and say, keep your chickens confined for a while. Give the fox time to get really hungry and move on to better hunting areas. Then, be really aware that there are foxes and other predators out there, and don't let a chicken not come in at night, even if they are broody. Make sure all are accounted for. In the end all you can do is your best. There are SO many animals out there that love a chicken dinner just as much as we do.

WillGriffin03 said:

Well it's this time of year again in Australia, the time that Foxes become an even bigger problem. I just lost one of my Phoenix to one of these foxes and I'm afraid for all the rest.

I don't know if we're allowed a gun licence here but if we are, do you recommend shooting them any way? They're a real pest down this way. What do I do before the rest are at the hands of a fox? I tried as hard as I could to predator proof the enclosure but Mr. Foxy Loxy got her while free ranging. In my experience the Fox kills the whole flock, but what happened was she disappeared and we searched for two hours around the pen and found no trace of her, do chickens normally do that? Then in the morning I found feathers everywhere, exactly where we were standing the night before. What was she doing out there?

Hope you can help

William

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Welcome to BYC!

Curious, what kind of fox are you dealing with there?
Do you have a Department of Natural Resources that regulates hunting and trapping there?
They might be able to offer some advice...especially if they are truly considered a pest animal.

Putting your regional location in your profile can help folks give better answers/suggestions.

Looks like there is a fairly active AU chat thread here on BYC,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/598568/australia-six-states-and-that-funny-little-island
Might want to check that out.

I know this sounds harsh but I've trapped them and inevitably ended up having to shoot them I have half my flock the free ranges without supervision there cover is great and avoid Hawks easily foxes though I shoot no questions asked they will kill and I mean in a bad way your whole flock hawks you just have to give cover I use fishing line also cause they are illegal to shoot I've found seeing a hawk shooting in the ground will scare them off

Eps32 said:

I know this sounds harsh but I've trapped them and inevitably ended up having to shoot them I have half my flock the free ranges without supervision there cover is great and avoid Hawks easily foxes though I shoot no questions asked they will kill and I mean in a bad way your whole flock hawks you just have to give cover I use fishing line also cause they are illegal to shoot I've found seeing a hawk shooting in the ground will scare them off

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I was going to suggest the same thing. I've trapped gazillions of them when I lived back east and found that's the easiest way to thin them out. WillGriffin03, I don't know if you are allowed to trap foxes using foot-hold traps there, or even if you're familiar with how to do it, but if you are allowed that is what I would do. Foxes around here are mostly nocturnal but traps are on duty 24 hours a day and if you make your set correctly they will work most every time.

WillGriffin03 said:

Yes I have a coop and outside area that's secluded with an overhead netting and wire under the ground and a pest wire around the enclosure. The fox only has got one while free ranging. But she was hiding and brooding, I looked around for 2 hours and didn't find her. But then in the morning I found her feathers.

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I'd say keep them in their enclosure for a little while until the fox decides there are no food options there anymore.

aart said:

Welcome to BYC!

Curious, what kind of fox are you dealing with there?
Do you have a Department of Natural Resources that regulates hunting and trapping there?
They might be able to offer some advice...especially if they are truly considered a pest animal.

Putting your regional location in your profile can help folks give better answers/suggestions.

Looks like there is a fairly active AU chat thread here on BYC,
 https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/598568/australia-six-states-and-that-funny-little-island
Might want to check that out.

Click to expand...

Hi aart,

I'm dealing with the infamous red fox and I know there's at least 20 of them around but until a couple days ago no trouble what so ever.

I'm not to sure about the trapping regulation and after trying to find something on my area, nothing came up. Thanks for helping me out!

If I do catch one do you recommend culling it?

ejcrist said:

I was going to suggest the same thing. I've trapped gazillions of them when I lived back east and found that's the easiest way to thin them out. WillGriffin03, I don't know if you are allowed to trap foxes using foot-hold traps there, or even if you're familiar with how to do it, but if you are allowed that is what I would do. Foxes around here are mostly nocturnal but traps are on duty 24 hours a day and if you make your set correctly they will work most every time.

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Hi ejcrist,

No I'm not too familiar with for trapping but just a couple of questions on the subject. If I was to accidentally step in one, what would happen to my leg? In my area it's 'rubber jaws only on all traps' what does that mean? And finally if I was to catch a fox how long would it take to die?

I really want to get rid of these pests as if one of them got in my cage, I'd be ruined!

Thanks for all the replies,

William