New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Fox!

post #1 of 25
3/31/12 at 6:15am
Thread Starter 

Just finally got a shot at a red fox and missed!   Crap!  I wonder if it will be back.  I have been watching for it for a few days now.  My good neighbor called me a few days ago and told me it was stalking my guineas.  I saw it yesterday, but by the time I got the gun, it was gone.  Took the gun out for chores this morning, no fox.  Came in froze, was running my hands under some warm water, looking out the kitchen window and there it was!  Man, can't believe I missed!    Now I wonder if it will be back.  Anybody think its gone, or will it be back?  I reloaded, just in case.

Keeper of 5 horses, 1 mule, 2 goats, 14 guineas ,6 hens and 1 roosters, 1 dog and 3 cats.  Better add 1 very understanding Hubby.
If you're going through hell....Keep Going!   (Winston Churchill)

Reply

Keeper of 5 horses, 1 mule, 2 goats, 14 guineas ,6 hens and 1 roosters, 1 dog and 3 cats.  Better add 1 very understanding Hubby.
If you're going through hell....Keep Going!   (Winston Churchill)

Reply

Featured Stories on BackYard Chickens

Why Join BackYard Chickens?
Poll: Why raise backyard chickens?
Join Our 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-A-Long
post #2 of 25
3/31/12 at 6:38am

That stinks! I had one this AM about 15ft from me running right at me chasing the girls,could have killed with a slingshot. But alas the only weapon I had was my boots. He even ran down the driveway and stood there taunting me for like 45 seconds giving me the "you screwed me out of breakfast stink eye". Got a surprise for him next time.

"The difference between being involved and being committed is the same as the difference between eggs and bacon. The chicken is involved. But the pig is committed"  Anonymous

Reply

"The difference between being involved and being committed is the same as the difference between eggs and bacon. The chicken is involved. But the pig is committed"  Anonymous

Reply
post #3 of 25
3/31/12 at 6:55am

Odds are the fox comes through a couple days or so at least but may not as of yet taken to include poultry on its menu.  Eventually it will give poultry a go and visits will be specifically for them.  If your birds are like most and refuge from fox attack is lacking, the fox will get a meal or two and potentially consume entire flock.  Guinees in my experience are more resistant to fox attack owing to flying ability but juveniles will be a continued high risk.  Shooting / trapping fox will give temporary repreive from losses to fox or you can use the usual containment of birds in secure coop / run.  My fox management system involves use of dog and having elevated locations birds can fly to.  Chickens fly up and give alarm and dog quickly comes over to investigate.  In many ways it is like cartoon relationship between scrawny technology oriented wolf and big brutish English sheep dog where predator is constantly trying to make catch but dog stops most of time.

Make every effort to understand your chicken's biology and the environment that supports it.
Reply
Make every effort to understand your chicken's biology and the environment that supports it.
Reply
post #4 of 25
3/31/12 at 7:25am

It will be back - be prepared!

Friends are the family you make for yourself.
There are no coincidences- only providences.
Reply
Friends are the family you make for yourself.
There are no coincidences- only providences.
Reply
post #5 of 25
3/31/12 at 9:52am
Thread Starter 

Well I guess I will start doing chores with the 25.20 every morning now for a while!  Hope he shows his taunting little face here again soon! 

Keeper of 5 horses, 1 mule, 2 goats, 14 guineas ,6 hens and 1 roosters, 1 dog and 3 cats.  Better add 1 very understanding Hubby.
If you're going through hell....Keep Going!   (Winston Churchill)

Reply

Keeper of 5 horses, 1 mule, 2 goats, 14 guineas ,6 hens and 1 roosters, 1 dog and 3 cats.  Better add 1 very understanding Hubby.
If you're going through hell....Keep Going!   (Winston Churchill)

Reply
post #6 of 25
4/1/12 at 3:00pm

I've lost 9 chickens to the local fox clan so far this year.  They got over my 5 1/2' high fence and got in the coop which I had unwisely gotten used to leaving open.

 

Today I finished an extension to the fence.  It's now about 8' high.  I hope it works.

1 Buff Orpington rooster, 1 Dominicker and 8 Polish hens, two Basset hounds, one Husky, two cats, 20+ tropical fish... and counting...

Reply

1 Buff Orpington rooster, 1 Dominicker and 8 Polish hens, two Basset hounds, one Husky, two cats, 20+ tropical fish... and counting...

Reply
post #7 of 25
4/1/12 at 4:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Fossil View Post

I've lost 9 chickens to the local fox clan so far this year.  They got over my 5 1/2' high fence and got in the coop which I had unwisely gotten used to leaving open.

 

Today I finished an extension to the fence.  It's now about 8' high.  I hope it works.


How do they get over a 5.5' fence?

 

Reply
Reply
post #8 of 25
4/2/12 at 6:55am

They can climb. Don't know that they could get over an 8' fence. 

But coons can. 

Reply
Reply
post #9 of 25
4/2/12 at 7:34am

she will definitely return back

Newbie who spends too much time searching for chook pens plans

Reply

Newbie who spends too much time searching for chook pens plans

Reply
post #10 of 25
4/2/12 at 10:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Srbenda View Post


How do they get over a 5.5' fence?

 


grey fox are tree climbers much like a coon 

 

http://www.scnaonline.org  Serama Council Of North America

You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.
Chief Joseph
Reply
http://www.scnaonline.org  Serama Council Of North America

You might as well expect rivers to run backwards as any man born free to be contented penned up.
Chief Joseph
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Predators and Pests

Featured Stories on BackYard Chickens

Why Join BackYard Chickens?
Poll: Why raise backyard chickens?
Join Our 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-A-Long