2 ladies lost tonight

[lollydolly]

Hi all,

I'm new to keeping chickens and a fox got into our coop tonight and killed two of my pekin bantams. I disturbed it but it was too late he'd already broken both their necks and left them on my lawn as he ran. I managed to pick them both up so at least the fox didnt get a free meal out of it. I know its nature etc but its really upset me. x

 

[SYDSMA]

Sorry for your loss, I know how hard it can be to lose them. We lost 7 in one afternoon while they were free ranging to a fox while my husband was home. It was taking them under the culvert in our road and coming back for more. Good luck!

 

[chefman4u2]

I use motion detectors so I know before they get to them. You can buy rock salt loads for your shotgun if you don't want to dispatch them or get a trap, but check the wildlife regulations where you live on relocating them. In TN you cannot relocate racoons; foxes I don't know about. They also sell "preditor eyes" and I have them, they seem effective on foxes, but are useless on coons or possums. I saw a motion activated sprinkler on "My cat from hell" today and thought that could be effective. I would like to set it up at the front door to deter unwanted visitors ;-)

 

[bj taylor]

sure sorry about your loss. it sounds like you might have a pretty large predator load & may have to look at your coop to find ways to increase security. I bet chances are very good that fox will be back.

 

[lollydolly]

The fox will definitely be back I've been advised they don't like male human urine so I'm gonna get my husband to start saving his to put near the coop and at our back fence. I live in the uk do the fox is our only predator really. Also we need shotgun certificates here and I'm not sure theyll give me one to shoot fox's. a pellet gun or air rifle is our only option but won't do much damage. x

 

[centrarchid]

The fox will definitely be back I've been advised they don't like male human urine so I'm gonna get my husband to start saving his to put near the coop and at our back fence. I live in the uk do the fox is our only predator really. Also we need shotgun certificates here and I'm not sure theyll give me one to shoot fox's. a pellet gun or air rifle is our only option but won't do much damage.

x

Foxes are usually easy to exclude from roosting areas. For me they are also very predictable when the visit. Hang out and wait. Pellet gun / air rifle will keep them away for a while. Male human urine will not work unless male human harasses fox very well. My preferred method for red fox is dog with poultry.

 

[aart]

How did it get into the coop? Fix that and you'll probably take care of most the problem. Electric wire or fencing around the coop is another option.

 

[wildrooster1]

Im very sorry for your loss.I learned and build my pens with chain link fence on bottom and chicken wire on top of that,works rather well if ya live in the country as i do and have many predators.

 

[Mattemma]

Sorry for your loss.I would put a carcass in a large havahart then sell the fox to someone who wants it.