and ideas on how to ward off preditors

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adobechicks

adobechicks

In the Brooder
7 Years
Mar 3, 2012
86
2
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My chickens have to be cooped up all winter...I feel bad for them because they love to be out. But we have let them out for about 30min once and lost a hen. The fox is hungry in the winter time !!!! We don't have a dog...and don't really want one. Any suggestions?
 
I was going to suggest getting a dog and training it not to chase chickens, but you said you didn't want a dog.

Could you build a wire-enclosed run for the chickens to be in during the day? To make it more secure, I would suggest installing an electrical fence wire around the run. If the fox touches the wire run, he will get zapped and run away.

Shooting a fox will not solve the problem. There are other foxes, raccoons, and other animals that will kill chickens.
 
I enjoy watching the foxes. They are really pretty and they have dens with babies. So I don't want to shoot them. The chickens do have a run for the daytime. I guess I just feel bad that they can't roam around wherever.
 
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Well, sounds like you have the solution. Most vixens are probably in whelp now and will soon have their kits. Then the dog fox begins hunting in earnest, and momma and the kids love chicken.
 
Maybe poultry netting, can it be used as sort of a corral? Mine have to stay in Fort Hennrietta too, They have a 12 x 20 dog run, their coop is completely inside it, and off the ground so they have a little more space. I have been doing things like getting a head of Romane lettuce and hanging it up for them to work on all day. I found a grocery salvage store that usually has it for cheap.

So I don't have any real suggestions, just ones to lessen the guilt. I love to watch the foxes too. Why can't they do a better job on the stupid squirrels?
 
I have a fenced yard for my dog, and I put the coop and run right next to it. I cut a hole so they can use the yard when the dog is in the house.
 
After the fox has practically wiped out your flock a couple of times, then see how much you like them. I shoot them on sight. The fox won't just take one bird, he'll kill half a dozen or more in one attack. The fox around here have really crimped my birds free ranging. Somebody HAS to be here when they are out. I'm going to try the electrified poultry fence. I have it on order and it arriving this week. Hopefully, I'll be able to let my birds out early and let them enjoy the day without being obliterated.
Jack
 
That is why mine have a totally inclosed run, including roof. The fox family has been here as long as we have, or at least 'foxes'
going on 48 years. I only have 4 and they don't go free range unless we are in the yard. My coop is not as nice as yours, but the
run makes up for it. IMHO. Sorry for your losses.
 

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