3 ducks down by a fox in 3 months…

[citymeetscountry]

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.

Our predator attacks happened in their run…(it’s an uncovered run so might as well have been free ranging)-1 a racoon climbed over the 6ft fence and the other we never found o it for sure but suspect it was an aerial attack. If you had a large enough covered run you’d do well, ranging carries risks. I still let mine out during the day quite a bit (not lately bc we’re separating the boys/girls and they won’t leave the fence line and go to the pond without the others ).

 

[Duckmommy5309]

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

Ok thanks so much! I will definitely try something that won’t get more killed!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Let me give you a very important tip in regards to "animal urine" in this case. If this is a fox. Urine will NOT serve to deter, and could instead be an attractant. Because of their behavior in marking on things including food, others may come to that smell and search for a stashed food source etc. Urine is very often used by trappers as a "lure" to a set, so do not do this.

If you cannot find it in your heart, understandably so, reach out to your state trapper's association and try and find someone who can dispatch this fox for you. If it is something you plan to do yourself, please by all means learn to tan the fur and put it to good use.

The bitter reality is that trapping can solve this one issue, but it will not prevent further. Unfortunately, free ranging flocks can be plagued by hawks, fox, raccoon, coyote, and roaming dogs as well. We have a large run for our birds for this purpose, to prevent loss. We give them SUPERVISED play time outside in the grass in a moveable little pen. But anyone we have known that free ranges their birds loses some. Even a pen can be entered by a cunning predator - know your local wildlife. How do you prevent a fox from digging into the coop? How do you cover it so a hawk cannot get in? Put a wildlife game camera on the area or nest cam to keep an eye on potential problem animals.

 

[Duckmommy5309]

Let me give you a very important tip in regards to "animal urine" in this case. If this is a fox. Urine will NOT serve to deter, and could instead be an attractant. Because of their behavior in marking on things including food, others may come to that smell and search for a stashed food source etc. Urine is very often used by trappers as a "lure" to a set, so do not do this.

If you cannot find it in your heart, understandably so, reach out to your state trapper's association and try and find someone who can dispatch this fox for you. If it is something you plan to do yourself, please by all means learn to tan the fur and put it to good use.

The bitter reality is that trapping can solve this one issue, but it will not prevent further. Unfortunately, free ranging flocks can be plagued by hawks, fox, raccoon, coyote, and roaming dogs as well. We have a large run for our birds for this purpose, to prevent loss. We give them SUPERVISED play time outside in the grass in a moveable little pen. But anyone we have known that free ranges their birds loses some. Even a pen can be entered by a cunning predator - know your local wildlife. How do you prevent a fox from digging into the coop? How do you cover it so a hawk cannot get in? Put a wildlife game camera on the area or nest cam to keep an eye on potential problem animals.

That’s really helpful, thank you. I had thought that urine was used for attracting because of the research I had done. But thanks for the info!

 

[HomesteaderWife]

You are very welcome @Duckmommy5309 - I wish you all the luck in protecting your beloved flock.

 

[GreenMtnVT]

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

I completely understand how discouraged you’re feeling. We had 4 free-range ducks. After the Fox got one, we called animal nuisance, who put some kind of urine around the property and wanted to set leg trap, but we have dogs and said no to that. The urine didn’t work as we lost a second duck. We called the game warden who unsympathetically said “eh that’s just one of the perils of have ducks/chickens” and recommended shooting the next one caught in the act. Someone recommended getting a llama or protective breed dog and doghouse and keeping him outside while they’re roaming. You could also try to find some cheap fencing to make part of the outside free-range for them.