dealing with a FOX.. erghhh

[chickencheeper]

yipes.. i'm not sure how i'd feel about coyotes in my yard..

It came around twice, first in the morning it was just laying down and i scared it away before I got a picture then it came back around noon and was very reluctant to leave even though I ran at it yelling and waving my arms. It was during late summer and we haven’t seen it since though we have documented lots of coyotes on our trail cam and recently we got a close up of one that decided to pee in the tree that the cam was on

 

[Folly's place]

We have coyotes singing at night around here, and they live on our farm and around everywhere. They eat lots of rodents and rabbits, a good thing! I have larger dogs in the fenced yard, and no sheep or small dogs, and really don't worry about them.
Everyone eats chicken, and only the coyotes haven't had any of mine!
I'm more concerned about possible large roaming dogs, and so far no bears or cougars here!
Mary

 

[leighks]

Just keep in mind this 1 fox isn’t likely to be the only one. Like me, it sounds like you live near a wooded area, the perfect habitat for foxes. And many of them are habituated to human noise and sighting. If you were to get rid of this 1 fox, it doesn’t mean your predator problems are over as there are likely more in the area. Foxes are territorial so you only may see the same one on your property- but once it is gone, it’s likely another one will take its place. This info was from a wildlife rehabber in my area of WNY when asked about trapping and removing foxes and why it’s usually unsuccessful.

For the safely of your hens, their total freedom free ranging days may be over. We had to build a chicken run for ours, for when we are not home, and they have a tractor for when we are around. I have seen foxes around- even coming right up to the run causing a commotion- so true free ranging is not an option for where we live.

 

[Hivoltage]

We did the free ranging thing all summer with no issues...but the other night something got 5 of them right before they went to the coop. They got spooked and they scattered. Piles of feathers all over the place as far as 100 yards from where they were. I blame daylight savings time because they always got in. That being said, I want to build a 12 X 30 predator safe run / pen for them. I am looking for the best design for this. Can anybody point me in the right direction.

 

[rookhomestead]

I don't like the idea of, excuse the pun, cooping up chickens/poultry. If you don't have someone home all the time to be diligent about running off predators, then I reckon its necessary. Its natural to lose some of your flock to predators when free ranging. Its a constant learning experience, you just have to learn. If you don't want to kill the fox, maybe try shooting them with bird shot. I do believe early spring, it would be near impossible to keep them run off though. I'll be keeping a VERY CLOSE EYE as winter really sets in. And coyotes get an instant death penalty! It seems harsh, but a chance no-one should take. They are overpopulating this area.

 

[Folly's place]

'Predator proof' is a big deal, and expensive, especially for a larger area. 'Safer' is an easier concept to work with.
So sorry for your losses! It sounds like a fox, who will be back.
A large safe run includes a dig-proof foundation, either a skirt, or concrete down about two feet. Walls of hardware cloth, with 2"x4" woven wire over the lower four feet, all well secured, not only stapled. A roof able to handle snow load, because it needs to be solid, or if hardware cloth, snow will pile up on it anyway. Doors that can't be torn or opened easily. Solid.
For a large area and ranging, electric fencing works well for ground predators, and sheltered areas helps for raptors.
Mary

 

[twilightgecko]

@rookhomestead and @Folly's place
i do agree with both of you.. i think chickens should be free to roam.. that was part of the idea of buying a log cabin house in the country.. my neighbours free ranged their chickens for years and years.. but they had a dog.. the day after they headed for Florida, is when the first attack happened.. their dog was great for chasing off foxes and such.. i had camera proof that foxes were in the area, but they never bothered with my chickens, who are secure in their coop from sundown to sunrise.. hmm.. just frustrated with trying to come to a quick solution, which is proving to be anything but quick.. i will do my best to keep my last 3 hens alive and happy.. right now, they are alive, but not happy.. they are growing bored with the screened in porch.. but for now, the foxes are relentless.. and frequent.. they are here EVERY NIGHT, FOR HOURS..

 

[itsasmallfarm]

you should be able to shoot it. (as it is harming your live stock) i would trap them if you can, we used to have foxes killed the neighbors cats now its just coyotes to deal with.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

Possibly has been in another area it travels?....Yes, it's tricky....If you can snare it and then shoot it?....Don't tell anyone just do it....In the spring when she returns to the Den we are going to Kill them....Finally guy next door gave us the go ahead...

sorry but if you get caught your in a world of trouble. here in Saskatchewan snares need a permit to use, and foxes are a fur bearing animal meaning you need a trappers/fur licence to hunt them. hate to see some one get in legal trouble. (just after reading the guy got sent to jail after killing a coon)

 

[rookhomestead]

You can't "hunt " them. But you are certainly aloud to protect your farm/property/livestock. And dogs are fantastic at keeping foxes away. I think the smell of male urine is enough 90% of the time. After we lost our dog, about a week later, a Fox. It was snooping once before but he went after it. Since he's been gone, I realize Its dang hard to find a dog that won't kill the flock themselves.