Fox Deterrent While On Vacation

[Cmacc]

Hello everyone,
I hoping to gather some suggestions from this amazing community regarding fox deterrents, as well are about to embark on a 5-7 day vacation and cannot find a house sitter. We will have someone here every other day to check on chickens, feed, water, collect eggs, etc. However, I am worried that the lack of human activity will embolden already very bold fox.

Quick background, I have lost one chicken about a month ago to a fox, fought off two foxes by screaming and rushing them while they were carrying chickens off in their mouth, and have let my dog out at night only to discover she has run off fox(s) who are trying to dig under my fenced in run.

I know there are sections I need to reinforce a bit as the buried fence has diminished in depth over the years. I have some reinforcements to do especially near the door, which seems to me the easiest place to dig under as there is no fencing under this particular section.

That said, has anyone had positive experiences with Foxlights (which might be hard to get last minute), Scarecrows (we live off grid and have gravity spring water and would needs solar powered), wolf scent, using a radio for noise, ammonia or citronella oils, human hair, etc.? Any creative ideas?

 

[centrarchid]

I would keep birds penned while you are gone. Experimenting on repellents while experimenter away sets stage for fox to clean you out quickly if repellents do not work. Electric fencing and fox-aggressive dogs do work. Other options listed are less likely to work. When I have been out multiple times this spring, a house sitter was involved and instructed to check birds at night and to pen them if a sudden reduction observed.

 

[The fluffy bums]

I don’t have fox problems so I can’t say for sure but I would try a bunch of things like the radio noises that in my opinion would be a good idea wolf scent may work too you could try having something flash or spray every 20 minutes or so. I just had a racoon kill all of my chickens except 2 so I know that going away would be stressful, in that situation I would definitely try the radio and maybe the different scents.

 

[The fluffy bums]

I’m not the expert though but I hope everything goes well good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Cmacc]

I’m not the expert though but I hope everything goes well good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you! I am so sorry about the loss of your chickens. I had a raccoon get into my coop in the fall and I lost my sentinel. All because I forgot to close the coop door. I still feel upset about that. He kept coming back for weeks for another shot at the rest of them, but we were diligent. I think I will try a radio and some scent. It can't hurt.

 

[Cmacc]

I would keep birds penned while you are gone. Experimenting on repellents while experimenter away sets stage for fox to clean you out quickly if repellents do not work. Electric fencing and fox-aggressive dogs do work. Other options listed are less likely to work. When I have been out multiple times this spring, a house sitter was involved and instructed to check birds at night and to pen them if a sudden reduction observed.

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with not begin able to fully trust repellants while away. I do plan on keeping them in the pen, and luckily we have an automatic door (after the above mentioned raccoon attack) that will shut them in at night.

 

[cottontail farm]

Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with not begin able to fully trust repellants while away. I do plan on keeping them in the pen, and luckily we have an automatic door (after the above mentioned raccoon attack) that will shut them in at night.

We've lost SO MANY birds to predators this year. I absolutely understand that life happens and sometimes you can't find someone to open and close a door promptly.
if it were me, knowing the bad luck we've had here with fox, raccoon, coyote, hawks, whatever.... Is it possible to just lock them up with food and water (obviously with someone checking on them) and not have to rely on the automatic door? It's not going to stop a fox during a daytime raid and is hate to see you come home to a bloodbath

 

[Cmacc]

We've lost SO MANY birds to predators this year. I absolutely understand that life happens and sometimes you can't find someone to open and close a door promptly.
if it were me, knowing the bad luck we've had here with fox, raccoon, coyote, hawks, whatever.... Is it possible to just lock them up with food and water (obviously with someone checking on them) and not have to rely on the automatic door? It's not going to stop a fox during a daytime raid and is hate to see you come home to a bloodbath

Thanks Cottontail. Yes. That is also possible. I think that's what has most been on my mind. These fox are just as likely to show up during the day as they are at night. Maybe I will just lock them in the coop. They are not going to like it, but at least they will live. And they winter in the coop, so its doable. Thanks for reinforcing that idea.

 

[cottontail farm]

I'm being forced to do this with my younger, more vulnerable birds this weekend. One day in the coop isn't going to hurt anyone. I DID get "the phone call" on vacation years ago that raccoons had killed an entire group of chicks. I felt bad about the chicks buy worse for my father who felt responsible for something he couldn't have avoided. I don't want to have to put someone in that position again.
I think locking them up is just easier on everyone involved, I mean if it's raining or snowing mine refuse to leave the coops anyway.