UPDATE:
So last week I posted the issue below, well since then I've been able to find something that has seemed to help a lot. Not only did we have one fox, but there was another, I know this bc it was very mangy. Anyways, a lady had suggested a tactic to my DH and we tried it. It's not the normal thing to do, but it's working so he's going to keep doing it. This lady told him to urinate around their house and the area where they stay. Well he did and there hasn't been any pictures (indicating no motion) since last thursday (7-16). I did a bit of research on the subject and it's suppose to be territorial barrier. When a fox smells another dominating odor but he can't visually see it, he will get threatened and move to another area. It may try to over dominate the odor for a while, but as long as the human continue their routine, the human will cause the fox to move on. Call me crazy but if this is causing the foxes to go away, then my DH is going to continue to do this.
I just thought that I would pass along the idea in case some of you want to try it. Knowing that foxes are smart animals and it's a bit tricky to get rid of them!
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Original Post:
So last week my DH and I went on vacation and my aunt and little cousin tended to my ducks. They did an amazing job! They actually spoiled them a little too much.
Anyways Monday morning I went out to do the normal routine, open their house and let them out, they came out just fine. Flew around, ate feed, and foraged in the yard until I put them in their pen for the day. Perfect little pets. Tuesday morning was a different story. Please note, they have been outside in their house and pen since May, so they are very well used to the environment. I open the door/ramp for them to come out, and nothing. They didn't budge. I did my normal routine, fresh water, feed, etc. and still no ducks came out. I knew something was up. They have NEVER done that. Usually they are busting to get out. I had to raise the top of their house and physically get them to come out. They stayed very close to me, which isn't normal (in the mornings). I could tell something was wrong with them. Anyways, I watched them for a few then had to go back inside to get ready for work. They foraged around and when it was time to go into the pen they were very willing to be locked up (again, not the normal).
That day during lunch I ask my aunt if they had done that with her, she said they did it only once. And they acted the same way with her that they did with me. So yesterday evening I put my DH trail camera up to see if something was coming around at night...sure enough. It's a red fox. There were two pictures of him sniffing around their house. I know that he can't get them at night, and I'm pretty sure during the day he won't come out. I am going to try a spray repellent (Any suggestions would be GREAT) and see how that does. I have a picture that I will post later when I get home. I left the camera up to see if he's coming around during the day too.
The moral of the story, if you know your animals, they will tell you when something is wrong. Especially ducks, they do not like when things are "different" or "new". So pay attention to your flocks. I have a new problem on my hands, I'm just glad I know what it is, thanks to my ducks.
So last week I posted the issue below, well since then I've been able to find something that has seemed to help a lot. Not only did we have one fox, but there was another, I know this bc it was very mangy. Anyways, a lady had suggested a tactic to my DH and we tried it. It's not the normal thing to do, but it's working so he's going to keep doing it. This lady told him to urinate around their house and the area where they stay. Well he did and there hasn't been any pictures (indicating no motion) since last thursday (7-16). I did a bit of research on the subject and it's suppose to be territorial barrier. When a fox smells another dominating odor but he can't visually see it, he will get threatened and move to another area. It may try to over dominate the odor for a while, but as long as the human continue their routine, the human will cause the fox to move on. Call me crazy but if this is causing the foxes to go away, then my DH is going to continue to do this.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Original Post:
So last week my DH and I went on vacation and my aunt and little cousin tended to my ducks. They did an amazing job! They actually spoiled them a little too much.
Anyways Monday morning I went out to do the normal routine, open their house and let them out, they came out just fine. Flew around, ate feed, and foraged in the yard until I put them in their pen for the day. Perfect little pets. Tuesday morning was a different story. Please note, they have been outside in their house and pen since May, so they are very well used to the environment. I open the door/ramp for them to come out, and nothing. They didn't budge. I did my normal routine, fresh water, feed, etc. and still no ducks came out. I knew something was up. They have NEVER done that. Usually they are busting to get out. I had to raise the top of their house and physically get them to come out. They stayed very close to me, which isn't normal (in the mornings). I could tell something was wrong with them. Anyways, I watched them for a few then had to go back inside to get ready for work. They foraged around and when it was time to go into the pen they were very willing to be locked up (again, not the normal).
That day during lunch I ask my aunt if they had done that with her, she said they did it only once. And they acted the same way with her that they did with me. So yesterday evening I put my DH trail camera up to see if something was coming around at night...sure enough. It's a red fox. There were two pictures of him sniffing around their house. I know that he can't get them at night, and I'm pretty sure during the day he won't come out. I am going to try a spray repellent (Any suggestions would be GREAT) and see how that does. I have a picture that I will post later when I get home. I left the camera up to see if he's coming around during the day too.
The moral of the story, if you know your animals, they will tell you when something is wrong. Especially ducks, they do not like when things are "different" or "new". So pay attention to your flocks. I have a new problem on my hands, I'm just glad I know what it is, thanks to my ducks.
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