Fox help

[smoore7489]

So..yesterday around 2:00 pm I went to check on my free ranging gals and I stumbled on my worst nightmare. A fox got ahold of 2 of my girls. One of them happened to have been a pet of mine and I was just devastated at the loss of her and one of my good layers. The fox actually attacked 4 of them but the 2 got away with just a few missing feathers and some scrapes. They were extremely lucky.

So war has been declared and we are going to avenge my beloved pet Daisy and Truffle, our egg layer. Also, we need to protect our other girls and the new flock that is in the brooder right now.

What are some good ways to trap and get this fox? Are there ways that work for you to keep them away?
We have a Great Pyrenees who is extremely good at keeping most away but she happened to be inside eating at the time this happened and we had no idea the fox would strike so late in the afternoon.

Any advice at all is greatly appreciated. I actually like foxes but this one crossed the line and has to be taken care of now.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I am so sorry for the loss have a heart traps if they took both the girls? or is one dead left as awful as it may sound use that as bait.. get ready to dispatch the fox with a gun

 

[smoore7489]

I am so sorry for the loss have a heart traps if they took both the girls? or is one dead left as awful as it may sound use that as bait.. get ready to dispatch the fox with a gun

He took off with Daisy, my pet He did leave the other chewed up but we buried her not thinking about it. I guess we were just in shock because we've been so lucky free-ranging up until now.
And yes, if we catch this fox he is a goner. There's no coexisting with it and not going to risk my new girls when they go outside.

 

[HuskerHens18]

Fish, cat food that smells like fish, pork, or other meats attract foxes. You could put any of those on a trap. Even if you don't catch the fox first try, catching any other predators will be just as good. I'm sorry about your chickens

 

[peacockfarmer]

Motion Detector FLOOD lights and the electric razor in the coffee can idea.
imagine (2) 100 watt flood lights come on at 3 in the morning and my old electric razor goes to work in a STEEL Folgers coffee can EEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzEEEEEEEEe
This worked on everybody but the bear. the bear did not give a scat about my contraption but no coyote or fox ever messed with that!

 

[smoore7489]

Motion Detector FLOOD lights and the electric razor in the coffee can idea.
imagine (2) 100 watt flood lights come on at 3 in the morning and my old electric razor goes to work in a STEEL Folgers coffee can EEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzEEEEEEEEe
This worked on everybody but the bear. the bear did not give a scat about my contraption but no coyote or fox ever messed with that!

Oh thats interesting! Did u have it on a timer to do that?

 

[smoore7489]

Fish, cat food that smells like fish, pork, or other meats attract foxes. You could put any of those on a trap. Even if you don't catch the fox first try, catching any other predators will be just as good. I'm sorry about your chickens

Thank you. I put our live trap out there with some canned oysters and salmon. However my dog keeps sitting by the trap bc I think she knows what we're doing so she's just waiting for something to show up lol (she hates fish so I know its not the food) so I'm afriad the trap might not work as intended lol but we will see

 

[HuskerHens18]

Thank you. I put our live trap out there with some canned oysters and salmon. However my dog keeps sitting by the trap bc I think she knows what we're doing so she's just waiting for something to show up lol (she hates fish so I know its not the food) so I'm afriad the trap might not work as intended lol but we will see

Can you keep the dog with you for the night or could the fox get in your chicken house? I would never want you to risk your other hens just to try and catch a fox.

 

[smoore7489]

Can you keep the dog with you for the night or could the fox get in your chicken house? I would never want you to risk your other hens just to try and catch a fox.

I have thought about that. I think what I plan to do is keep her out during the night while we sleep and then during the morning try and trap him. I dont think I could stand to loose the rest of the flock.

 

[HuskerHens18]

I have thought about that. I think what I plan to do is keep her out during the night while we sleep and then during the morning try and trap him. I dont think I could stand to loose the rest of the flock.

Good idea, I don't want you to lose them either. Your flock is the priority.
If the fox attacked during the day, it will probably return in the day. Keep us updated if you catch the vermin.