Persistent fox

Date sort Score sort
megan634

megan634

Hatching
Jun 25, 2015
2
0
7
Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum but have read a lot on this site already and find it so helpful. I live in rural Vermont and have four (which started out as eight) year old hens and a new batch of eight chicks that are three weeks old. We let our chickens (not the chicks yet) free range during the day and as you all know they love it. So - our flock started with eight last year. Last summer a fox attacked in the middle of the day, while I was mowing the lawn and couldn't hear, and killed three hens. We didn't have any other problems last year but as of this spring I see foxes nearly once or twice every two weeks. We have a dog who stays outside with the chickens during the day and is a very good protector and I know she's chased off a fox several times over the last few months. A couple of weeks ago we lost our fourth hen to another daytime fox attack. I hadn't seen it around since until today when it attacked another one of our hens in the middle of our back yard, no more than 20 feet from our door. Fortunately we heard the commotion and ran outside to see a fox with one of our Golden laced wyandottes in its mouth. It ran off and somehow our girl is ok - missing feathers but not even a scratch otherwise. We just built a nice big new coop and plan to add a sizeable run soon.

I guess I'm just not sure what to do - I want them to free range and I understand the risks, but I feel that a fox coming to our yard in the day time must be very persistent. In your experience do the foxes ever move along to somewhere new? Say if we kept them in a run that was less accessible to the fox will it give up? Thanks for your input!
 
Last edited:
The run will have to be very secure. Fox will stay around if there are ready meals nearby, your chickens fill the bill.

Hit wrote can help, there are movable electrified poultry nets. I'm not sure how effective they are against fox.
 
I have found electrified poultry net to be THE answer to a fox problem. I lost 16 birds to the fox here. The net fence took care of the problem. And no, the fox will never go away, unless you kill it.
 
No best answers to such a problem or absolutes. There can be an issue of cost effectiveness. Solid run and better fencing likely to be least cost approach. Shooting takes time otherwise invested in other activities. The poultry netting will allow continued free-range benefits at a higher initial cost but may still leave you vulnerable predators that simply have not stopped by yet. Other options possible but they do not appear to be even considered yet by posters thus far. However done, think layers, have a role in it yourself and be flexible. Foxes are easy to beat.
 
Last edited:
MysteriaSdrassa said:
I have found the open end of a .22 rifle and a good case of lead poisoning to be the answer to fox,, and whatever other vermin you have after your birds
Click to expand...
I'm trying this method and also a trap, had a fox attack my duck today during the day time. Being day....rabies I am assuming so everything is staying locked up until this fox is taken care of
 
Reiki Rooster said:
I'm trying this method and also a trap, had a fox attack my duck today during the day time. Being day....rabies I am assuming so everything is staying locked up until this fox is taken care of
Click to expand...



Day hunting not indicative of rabies nor hunting between your legs. Foxes simply can be brazen. I have done the shoot and trap options but if your poultry interests are long-term then you will come around to employ enclosures and / or dogs.
 
Last edited:
megan634 said:
Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum but have read a lot on this site already and find it so helpful. I live in rural Vermont and have four (which started out as eight) year old hens and a new batch of eight chicks that are three weeks old. We let our chickens (not the chicks yet) free range during the day and as you all know they love it. So - our flock started with eight last year. Last summer a fox attacked in the middle of the day, while I was mowing the lawn and couldn't hear, and killed three hens. We didn't have any other problems last year but as of this spring I see foxes nearly once or twice every two weeks. We have a dog who stays outside with the chickens during the day and is a very good protector and I know she's chased off a fox several times over the last few months. A couple of weeks ago we lost our fourth hen to another daytime fox attack. I hadn't seen it around since until today when it attacked another one of our hens in the middle of our back yard, no more than 20 feet from our door. Fortunately we heard the commotion and ran outside to see a fox with one of our Golden laced wyandottes in its mouth. It ran off and somehow our girl is ok - missing feathers but not even a scratch otherwise. We just built a nice big new coop and plan to add a sizeable run soon.

I guess I'm just not sure what to do - I want them to free range and I understand the risks, but I feel that a fox coming to our yard in the day time must be very persistent. In your experience do the foxes ever move along to somewhere new? Say if we kept them in a run that was less accessible to the fox will it give up? Thanks for your input!
Click to expand...


1000

Oh no, :hugs i would get another dog & keep them in for a while. You could also make a longer "Fort knock" run for them? This is a tough one..
put rat traps on the wall.. ?? foxes are sly. Keep us posted and do you have photos?
 

Similar threads

Mo_fawaazzz
Red fox visited my garden today
Replies
1
Views
163
No Coop No Problem
No Coop No Problem
C
PLEASE help, foxes!
2 3
Replies
23
Views
2K
my spoiled chickens
my spoiled chickens
NC_Quail
Fox can’t get into coop, but keeps returning
2 3
Replies
27
Views
1K
mortmunkey
mortmunkey
M
    • Like
Lights/Deterrents for Foxes
2
Replies
11
Views
1K
Krugerrand
K
funkychickenlady
    • Sad
    • Like
Unexpected Loss
2
Replies
17
Views
1K
McChooky
McChooky

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom