Are there anyways to deter foxes?

[Apis mellifera]

Fox are a nuisance animal that are spread across the globe, some have been introduced to the NE from Europe during the 1700s. They have become a terrible problem in Australia. Electric fences do work great and when fox get out of control they need to be dispatched. Those that claim that you should just let them go to nature probably dont apply the same logic to their garden when its being destroyed by horn worms, cucumber beetles, chipmunks, etc.

 

[rod5591]

Im actauly not going to kill it if that what ur worried about im not gonna shoot it but these ones are not wary you can get in with 15 feet. from one then they jog away we did do a live catch thanks for the idea

no actually I was wondering the best technique to shoot a fox. Since by the time I show up, the fox I know is always long gone. He hears me open the door and then quickly skedaddles!

 

[roosterhavoc]

People need to remember animals are individuals so some people will have nonstop problems with foxes while others can let them frolic in their yard without issues. I’ve seen gray foxes walk through my yard and not pay the chickens any mind whatsoever. I walked up within 10yds of a gray fox one night while I had one of 3 malinois out in the yard. He was undeterred (probably somewhat young, but full grown). 2 weeks later I chased a gray fox out of my electric fenced in pen area (wire was grounded) He tried to grab a rooster by the wing off the roost. Years ago I had a gray fox try to snatch a rooster at dusk 15 yds from me. Those are the only 2 issues with grays.
Reds on the other hand are nonstop issues for me. Coyotes are around but don’t cause me any problems.
This red snatched a rooster the other night. Caught him the very next night.

 

[chickenlover8969]

no actually I was wondering the best technique to shoot a fox. Since by the time I show up, the fox I know is always long gone. He hears me open the door and then quickly skedaddles!

Oh well i would not know cause ive never had to stalk a fox before but if u dont have to kill it u shouldent but if u want to ur property i have no problem with it if ur going to shoot it maybe aim out ur window instead of opening the door good for him he skedaddles lol good luck

 

[chickenlover8969]

People need to remember animals are individuals so some people will have nonstop problems with foxes while others can let them frolic in their yard without issues. I’ve seen gray foxes walk through my yard and not pay the chickens any mind whatsoever. I walked up within 10yds of a gray fox one night while I had one of 3 malinois out in the yard. He was undeterred (probably somewhat young, but full grown). 2 weeks later I chased a gray fox out of my electric fenced in pen area (wire was grounded) He tried to grab a rooster by the wing off the roost. Years ago I had a gray fox try to snatch a rooster at dusk 15 yds from me. Those are the only 2 issues with grays.
Reds on the other hand are nonstop issues for me. Coyotes are around but don’t cause me any problems.
This red snatched a rooster the other night. Caught him the very next night.
View attachment 3733143

I only have reds around here

 

[Krugerrand]

People need to remember animals are individuals so some people will have nonstop problems with foxes while others can let them frolic in their yard without issues. I’ve seen gray foxes walk through my yard and not pay the chickens any mind whatsoever. I walked up within 10yds of a gray fox one night while I had one of 3 malinois out in the yard. He was undeterred (probably somewhat young, but full grown). 2 weeks later I chased a gray fox out of my electric fenced in pen area (wire was grounded) He tried to grab a rooster by the wing off the roost. Years ago I had a gray fox try to snatch a rooster at dusk 15 yds from me. Those are the only 2 issues with grays.
Reds on the other hand are nonstop issues for me. Coyotes are around but don’t cause me any problems.
This red snatched a rooster the other night. Caught him the very next night.
View attachment 3733143

Toxoplasmosis infections in fox can render them as docile as a domestic dog.

https://www.national-fox-welfare.com/post/toxoplasmosis-in-the-red-fox

 

[Knobby]

.30/30 rifle. Works well if you have good aim. Not so well if you don't.
Best deterrent I've found is keeping dogs nearby. I also keep weeds and brush cut waaaay back, well away from the chicken pens.

I agree..keep the weeds and brush cut all around your pen area; foxes and coyotes are hesitant to come out in the open. I allow our male dogs to do their territorial pissing around the area as well...heck, I sometimes join them..hehe.

I've taken out 3 coyotes using my crossbow, but tend to let the foxes be, since I have a slight fondness for them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I've been very fortunate. When I relocated to a 2 acre parcel surrounded by 80 acres of farmed land (they grow & rotate corn or soy), I noticed a few foxes that had dens in the farmland & next door wooded lot, that also enjoyed sunbathing on my grassy area. I love wildlife, often photographed or sketched what I've seen since childhood. Here, I have been able to observe quite a variety...Hummingbirds, Osprey, various types of hawks, falcons, Bald Eagles, various duck species, Canadian and Snow Geese, many types of song birds, the occasional raccoons, Opossums, otters & of course lots of fat rabbits & those pesky groundhogs. The foxes like to hunt rodents, so I'd get a kick out of watching a fox look at the ground, tilt the head listening, then do a beautiful jumping swan dive type of pounce & come up with a mouse, mole or rat. I don't mind them on rodent patrol at all!

I've had Homing Pigeons for decades & the only type of predator that really goes after them are hawks. So I do limit free flying in winter months.

When I decided to get chickens in 2015, I found your site here as I researched all types of potential issues, and built a predator proof coop and large pen. I do free range my chickens but only when I am outside there too, doing yard work, gardening or some other type of project close by.

The cool thing is, the foxes have come to know me as the lady that appreciates wildlife. They can be in my yard most of the day, and not even go near the chickens or pigeons. They have their favorite spots to sunbathe or play. Seeing kits play is a real treat, they roll around and chase eachother like puppies do.

The one older Vixen, became very friendly with me. I called her Lady Fox. She would lay down by me when I sat at the fire pit. When I saw a particularly stunning sunset, she would notice me taking photos, and she'd look up at the sunset, then sit down by me & we'd literally watch the sunset & it's changing colors for a good 15 minutes...she would be gazing up at it too.

She also would accompany me on my walk to the mailbox down the road and back. Neighbors said they wished their own dogs would walk as nice while on leashes, so perfectly matched was her gait to mine. Lol

She would bring her kits out to show me, she'd sit down to calm them so I could get photos. I enjoyed each litter, watching them grow, then they'd eventually leave to find their own turf somewhere. I don't know where they went, but once a year, every May, there would be a family reunion of sorts. Literally on the very 1st warm sunny day in May (usually near the 15th) I would see 15 to 30 foxes of various ages, all rolling around & playing. They'd stick to the area of nice grass where it meets the cornfield, in back of my big barn, about 100'x75' and just hang out, like some family picnic. It is truly awesome. Before my father passed, we both witnessed this, and one time 2 adult foxes greeted eachother, both front paws on eachothers shoulders then walking on hind legs only from one end of the yard to the other! Both my dad & I exclaimed "Wow, they're doing the Fox Trot!" & we could not believe we were able to see such an amazing thing in person. I've watched nature shows & documentaries my entire life & never got to see foxes doing the Fox Trot...this was a gift.

Lady Fox was quite the endearing "dog" & she kept her kits in line. One day 2 Springs ago, her male kit was checking out my Guineas...he started walking towards them & I said "No" & I was amazed to see Lady Fox trot over to him & grab him at the scruff & drag him away from my Guineas. He hunkered down & sulked by her for 20 minutes. Lol I have no idea if she really was trying to teach him they were to be left alone, but honest to goodness he never went near them again, & made huge detours to avoid their coop from then on, too.

Lady Fox was wonderful, she loved posing for photos & sketches, loved a good relaxing fire at the fire pit, & treated my dad & me like friendly neighbors. She was unique. She was quite old & sadly died this past September. She lay down not far from my fire pit, right next to the wildflower garden, curled up as if to nap & passed away. She is buried there.

Her last 3 kits still hang out here, 1 of which has decided to be like her mother. I call her Little Girl. She follows me around at times, sits and gazes at sunsets, relaxes right by my chair at the fire pit, accompanies me to get the mail, & let's me know when the coyotes are nearby by acting nervous & looking in their direction, then back at me. When she acts that way, that night we will hear coyote calls.

She has let me know when she catches rodents, she actually plays tossing the rodent in the air & catching it, then brings it over to the steps by the back door. She has left 2 mice & a rat there the past month, then once she sees that I've seen them, she takes them away.

Well, I did not mean to write a book, but my encounters with nature always touch my heart. I have not lost a single chicken & there hasn't been a single hole dug to try & get into the chicken pens. One of the young male kits did try to grab a big hen once, all he got was a few feathers in his mouth & me hollering, swinging a 5 gal bucket at him. My hen is still the biggest girl & that male never came back for more. The look on his face as I nearly hit him with the bucket as he ducked & ran off was priceless. If you've ever seen the expression your dog makes the 1st time they run around a pool, make a wrong turn & realize they can't walk on water...yeah, that look. Lol

I guess I am blessed, because I practically have a wildlife channel live, right here in my own yard. Yes, I build predator proof pens right from the get-go, and I am glad I did, because it allows me to appreciate nature. I always will try to have a more harmonious approach whenever possible. If I had issues with bears, wildcats or something vicious that actually tore into the coop or pens, I'm sure I'd be singing a different tune, but the foxes are welcome.

View attachment 3732849View attachment 3732850View attachment 3732851View attachment 3732852View attachment 3732854

Please write a children's book.

 

[chickenlover8969]

Please write a children's book.

honestly liz does need to it would be great

 

[LuciferRoo]

The best rifle to use is the one you're most familiar with and can handle safely and accurately. I just mentioned .30/30 because it's just one of several different firearms we have. It's a good all-around rifle for the farm and hunting, and doesn't have much recoil.

If you don't plan on shooting foxes, then why ask which rifle to use? If you don't want to injure the animal, but want to get their attention, then consider a paint-ball gun or pellet rifle instead. Pellets may injure somewhat, but they're not likely to kill the fox.

I personally like the idea of a paintball gun.
The fox will definitely feel it and you get the additional benefit of marking it temporarily.
This gives you the ability to see if after taking a shot or few the fox will return.
The animal's desire for chicken dinner may be stronger than the fear of pain.
If that is the case, you will get the opportunity to revisit your decision not to kill the animal.
To me the life of my hen is worth more not less than life of another animal and that includes neighbor's dogs.