Alternatives to Bullets

[FridayYet]

Mine do that too, just in the afternoons for a few hours, supervised, while I work in the garden. Funny watching them try to catch grasshoppers! Rest of the time in the run, especially when I'm on vacation. My chicken's don't seem sad to me - and they are alive. I hate to think of them being terrorized and ripped into pieces.

Beautiful pictures! You may as well just free-range then, and be prepared pick up new ones every year.

 

[torilovessmiles]

It must just be me but nearly all the runs I've seen are devoid of anything natural or stimulating. No foxes true, but a caged life on a bed of shavings seems pretty sad to me. Safe and sad.
I adore watching my chickens explore the yard and chase bugs and nestle under pine trees. To me that was a big piece of wanting to have chickens at all.

Trust me, the chickens aren't as bothered by it as you are just make the run really, really big. Maybe include a few bushes or berry vines. A 12 x 8 run may be small but a 30 x 30 or bigger fence (if feasible) will provide lots of space. There simply isn't anything natural about chicken keeping, since chickens are domestic. The most natural thing would be to let predators do what predators do, but none of us want that! So we must resort to un-natural methods to keep our chickens alive. It's part of owning them

 

[centrarchid]

Poultry netting as suggested by egghead is approach I use in part. Difference for me is solar charger. Three strands of well placed hotwire can also direct fox elsewhere although birds will not respect it and get out where they are vulnerable. I also employ chicken tractors that birds can be released from with supervision and rifle when needed. Most of time I have dogs that repel fox and they only occasionally actually catch fox. Wolf urine may work with coyotes but not likely effective against foxes.

 

[123RedBeard]

Yep, very nice ... Even the fox thinks so ...

You let you chickens kill bugs? Oh, the horror for those poor little bugs getting gobbled up and eaten alive!!! But a fox killing a chicken is not what you want? But actually killing the fox is bad? Unless the trooper does it???

From - http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/human/lww_information/raccoons.html

Trapping also may not be legal in some urban areas; check with local authorities. Transporting animals without the proper permit is also unlawful in most cases.

Trapping - http://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting_trapping/trapping/trapping_dates.htm

What do I do when I catch an animal in one of my traps?
Any animal you find in one of your traps must be removed. If the animal is alive, it may either be released or humanely dispatched. You are not allowed to keep a trapped animal alive unless you also have a license to possess captive wildlife. (Contact the Department for more information about captive wildlife.) See the Trapper Information handbook for information on what to do and who to contact if you catch a lynx or bald eagle.

A fox can easily travel 10 miles in a day or night, and it will come back ... And it will know to avoid the trap (trap smart) next time ... And it will know your chickens taste good!

Enjoy your fairy tale ...

 

[Mutt Farm]

How many chickens do you have? There are all kinds of pretty runs, just depends on your space, time, and money.

Oh my. That's gorgeous!

 

[Mutt Farm]

As of this evening 12, down from 15 last week. The prettiest part of that run is the greenery outside it. I've yet to see a well landscaped natural run that isn't a barren wasteland of mud and wire... Nothing matches the great outdoors!

Yikes! Poor gal! I understand your original goal, the vision of happy chickens free to wander about in lush green grasses, do chicken things, everybody gets along, sings kumbaya, do no harm. Me too! However, it doesn't work that way sometimes. When you have made the decision to keep and raise a food source, you face difficult decisions. You have a predator. I do too. I have a great place, but it's desert. It's what you would think was a "barren wasteland". I can't fix that. I so wanted my chickens to be totally free, hang out in the lawn, the planters. I have urbanized fearless coyotes and hawks. Coyotes killed 8 turkeys, every chicken and a dog right behind me. My Pollyanna dream changed right then. I considered not having chickens. I couldn't imagine supporting a free range "well landscaped" existence if the trade off is finding my beautiful chickens mutilated. I also could never shoot an animal, so I manage. I keep my girls safe and happy as the dickens. They have plenty of space and run around every evening. Your pictures are beautiful! I wish I had that lush greenery. I found it difficult to find a balance, but I did. I can't save the world, but I have happy chickens and don't buy eggs from the grocery store. I hope you find your balance, without hurting your heart.

 

[centrarchid]

Check out my weed patch. Areas shown represent just over half of acreage in poultry. Also shows different seasons / years with varied vegetation management strategies.

 

[123RedBeard]

There is nothing wrong with having a dream of the fairy tale, idealistic chicken setup (farm/ranch/homestead) we all wish that we did not have to deal with predators, but in reality ... There are lots of critters that like the taste of chicken! And un-protected chickens are EASY PICKIN'S!

But to answer your initial question ... A fox knows that pain (or the fear of pain) or possible death is to be avoided if possible ... Usually one, one on one tutoring session with Mr. Electric Fence makes the fox decide not to opt for lesson two! (And stays away!)

Next option is a couple of TRAINED dogs, that will run off the fox (and probably kill it if they catch it, and the fox knows this!) but ... Dogs take a year or two to train ...

For your situation ... A "ugly" electric fence is the best option to keep your chickens safe, or you could just order 30 chicks a month to replace the one a day that your current setup is loosing ... Headless chickens are also probably "ugly" too, huh?

The fox probably has a den nearby, and has plans for the last twelve of your chickens too ...

 

[slingshotandLAR]

Well, wolf urine is utterly worthless - kept it at bay this morning maybe but lost another chicken late afternoon, frightened it as it took off down the road and it dropped my poor headless girl. Yes, this fox has made my backyard his buffet. Baiting the trap with Lana tonight in hopes of capturing it but if the State Trooper who is my neighbor dispatches it I won't be crying.bapparently he's lost a couple of chickens as well. It has proven to be a killing machine completely unafraid of humans. The girls will have to stay confined until this gets sorted out.

Ok I'm confused....

So now it's ok for someone else's bullets to kill the fox? Amazing how dead chickens can change your views so fast.

I would suggest next time don't be so quick to judge why people do what they do. Your original and subsequent post inferred there simply is no reason to kill predators just because they were a threat to livestock. Within 24 hours of your original post and a few more dead chickens you won't be crying over a dead fox.....

I'm glad you've came to your senses.

 

[Catnip5]

Rash statement - no it decidedly not ok - I don't want anyone shooting the fox including the trooper. That's his intent not mine as it came to my attention that he has also lost a couple of chickens. I simply want him off my property. I'd prefer he just moved along to another buffet. Actually I'd be very saddened if someone slaughtered the poor thing but seems to be the easy way out for the vast majority of people...fox or people if you watch the news. Fox is only doing what foxes do...and it is a beautiful fox. Hadn't seen one in years here but it didn't take long for him to find my chickens. So much for an idyllic free-range life by the sea.
My senses are very much intact thanks. I'm also not judging - you have to live with your own concience when it comes to co-existing or not without her species. I'm a vegetarian, 35 years, but if you eat meat that's your call. Same with dealing with predators.
No I think electric fencing or a run will be the only solution for me but it's been a fascinating discussion.