3 ducks down by a fox in 3 months…

[Duckmommy5309]

Hello, I put my ducks away around 8 and we knew there was a fox lurking around, because 2 had been eaten already since New Years. I went to put the 5 away and there was 4. Our female khaki Campbell peanut was missing. We are sure it was a fox, a duck was killed 2 weeks ago. I’m so done with it and im not sure how to keep the fox away because it knows it has a stable food source now. Can I have some tips please!! SOS

 

[Isadora]

Are your ducks contained or is this a free-ranging situation?
If the latter, the obvious solution (though expensive) is to not let them free range anymore but to keep them confined to a coop and run.

 

[Duckmommy5309]

Are your ducks contained or is this a free-ranging situation?
If the latter, the obvious solution (though expensive) is to not let them free range anymore but to keep them confined to a coop and run.

They free range from 6am-8pm. I’ve already cut the curfew to 6pm

 

[Isadora]

Free ranging is always a risk. Cutting the hours can help but it won't mitigate predators.

 

[citymeetscountry]

They free range from 6am-8pm. I’ve already cut the curfew to 6pm

Ours get locked in as soon as it starts to get dark. The 2 times we got out there right after we lost them to predators. I’d go more off the light/dark vs a specific time

 

[Duckmommy5309]

Free ranging is always a risk. Cutting the hours can help but it won't mitigate predators.

Is there any type of animal urnine I could use or things of my own? Or should I just wait for fox season so I can kill it or what? I’m just a nervous wreck with this.

 

[Duckmommy5309]

Ours get locked in as soon as it starts to get dark. The 2 times we got out there right after we lost them to predators. I’d go more off the light/dark vs a specific time

Could I just keep a very close eye on them throughout the day or leave them in the coop the whole day. They have a huge coop too though.

 

[Isadora]

Could I just keep a very close eye on them throughout the day or leave them in the coop the whole day. They have a huge coop too though.

It only takes a minute for a fox to grab one so I wouldn't feel confident that they would be safe under my watchful eye. Foxes are very smart. Personally I would leave them in their coop.

I have heard not heard success stories about the animal urine.

 

[Duckmommy5309]

It only takes a minute for a fox to grab one so I wouldn't feel confident that they would be safe under my watchful eye. Foxes are very smart. Personally I would leave them in their coop.

I have heard not heard success stories about the animal urine.

Ok, well I guess ill just make a more secure coop and leave them in for most of the day and then I’ll take them out for a few minutes with me and then put them back in. I know a fox wouldn’t really stop attacking because of a short women. But it puts my mind at ease a little.

 

[Isadora]

I have electrified poultry netting for my ducks. The big selling point for me was that it's movable so I can put my ducks on different areas of my property. Usually I don't electrify it because I have a lot of hills that constantly cause it to ground out and so far I've had no predator issues with my ducks.
Maybe it's something for you to consider?
https://www.premier1supplies.com/poultry/fencing.php