Daytime predator :(

[Nicole01]

I think a fox got my specked Sussex hen today. . I'm just heartbroken over this. I see a pile of poop with hair of a fox or deer. It left 3 big piles of feathers with no blood or remains other then feathers. Ugh, I'm so sad. I hope my hen went quick and did not suffer.

How the heck do I catch this thing? Traps are very expensive. If it gets another hen, I might just buy a wire trap. I can not keep them locked up tomorrow due to the expected temps in the 100's and very humid. I'm going to be on standby with my golden and Aussie. I'll keep the hens in the coop/run until it gets too warm. Next year we are fencing in our property, which will make it a little safer. Im positive the fox will be back.

 

[spolicas]

I think you should get a dog. That might help. I know our German Lab does a good job at protecting the barnyard.

Sorry for your loss, I've lost numerous free-range due to hawks, I understand. And I definitely agree about he weather; I run into the same issues where I am at, too.

 

[Nicole01]

Our city only allows two dogs, which we already have. They go outside with me, but that's all. I can not leave them out.

I have an Australian shepherd and a golden retriever.

 

[suki'smom]

If it is a fox chances are a live trap wont do you any good. They are difficult to trap. A snare or paw trap would work better, then shoot it. There's no way you could tie your dog right up to the coop? This has worked for me and my dog is a 13 year old lab that really is good for nothing (except lovins lol) but the fox doesn't know that

 

[wvtim]

Foxes are hunting very hard right now - I had to stop free ranging until I kill all of them. I have been sitting in a tree stand early and late calling them with a distressed chicken and rabbit call from my iphone. I've killed a male and still waiting on the female. Wire cages are tuff for adult foxes. You almost need to use the steel foot traps on a fox. Until you kill them , I would not let your chickens out - period - that will take multiple chickens in a day. I had one come into the yard chasing the chickens in the middle of the day with my dogs out.

 

[centrarchid]

Make so birds have shade from noon until about 5 PM, have a good breeze and plenty of water. If so they can handle heat. I simply put tarp or similar over pens. My birds handled 110 temps with such. If they are in a building, then things a tougher.

 

[wvtim]

You might also want to try a few strands of electric fence. I have electric fence around my garden and the rabbits come inside to build there nests - the foxes dont seem to like the fence but the rabbits dont seem to mind it.

 

[centrarchid]

Foxes are hunting very hard right now - I had to stop free ranging until I kill all of them. I have been sitting in a tree stand early and late calling them with a distressed chicken and rabbit call from my iphone. I've killed a male and still waiting on the female. Wire cages are tuff for adult foxes. You almost need to use the steel foot traps on a fox. Until you kill them , I would not let your chickens out - period - that will take multiple chickens in a day. I had one come into the yard chasing the chickens in the middle of the day with my dogs out.

You need a dog like mine, then you would get a real good chase and if fox gets blindsides possibly even a fox.

 

[wvtim]

What kind of dog do you have that kills foxes?

 

[Nicole01]

My dogs picked up on the fox trail when I took them out. I can't shoot a gun.. I don't have a small gun to shoot it either. I'll have to keep my hens in until it gets too hot. I'll take my dogs in the back to scour the woods all day tomorrow. Maybe they will catch it. My Aussie will kill it easily, she protects our yard. After tomorrow the heat is suppose to suppress by 20 degrees. I'll keep them in once it's cooler. It's way too hot and nothing can cool it down. We have great shading, but it's not natural shade. We planted trees, but they are young.

I'll put cold running water in the run to see if this will keep them cool enough to stay.