Fox help

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.
Im unsure how sly this fox is. Im not sure what is safe or not when it comes to him breaking into my coop. Its an old work building. Do u know what I should look for? As in weak points the fox might see?

Also, I think I saw the fox tonight. Shined my flashlight out in the fieldand saw some shiny eyes. Mightve been a cat but my money is on the fox.
 
So sorry to hear that I can’t believe a fox got them in afternoon especially being a dog owner?!? We live in rural area on 7 acres and our neighbors say they see foxes. Our ducks free range for little over two years morning until night and we never had a problem. We have a lot of activity outdoors with us being outside and two dogs two cats. Our cats are outdoors during the day not sure if that makes a difference. At night we’ve caught bears walking around and know because our motion solar lights go off. We have night guard lights and a motion sensor around our duck cage for extra protection at night. We’ve seen coyotes on trail cams in back part if property too. I always assumed so much outdoor activities helped the dogs mark a lot and stuff. Good luck catching it! I’d set a trap with an egg in it - we did that once with duck egg and caught a raccoon next day. Also predators ugh they’d have so many it stinks!
 
Im unsure how sly this fox is. Im not sure what is safe or not when it comes to him breaking into my coop. Its an old work building. Do u know what I should look for? As in weak points the fox might see?

Also, I think I saw the fox tonight. Shined my flashlight out in the fieldand saw some shiny eyes. Mightve been a cat but my money is on the fox.
Oh no sounds like he’s coming back to finish - I’d bring them inside if you can - we use an old dog cage to bring our ducks in when needed.
I’d leave outside light on or go put empty cans around pen maybe. The noise will scare him
 
Im unsure how sly this fox is. Im not sure what is safe or not when it comes to him breaking into my coop. Its an old work building. Do u know what I should look for? As in weak points the fox might see?

Also, I think I saw the fox tonight. Shined my flashlight out in the fieldand saw some shiny eyes. Mightve been a cat but my money is on the fox.
One thing to consider is to purchase multiple live traps and scatter them on your property, your dog can't guard all traps at once, which increases the chance of catching a predator. Traps aren't cheap though.
Is your coop raised or flat on the ground?
The problem with my coop is it's set on top of two massive wooden poles, so the last 20 years washed the dirt out from under it. Skunks and opossums crawl under it, but thankfully haven't damaged the floor.
Where my issue occurs is around the door, and the corners. Rats made the first hole, and soon every corner has a hole leading to outside. I plug these with poison if I can, then board it up so my birds can't get the poison, but the returning culprit does.
 
Keep your birds in their safe coop (and run) until this fox is killed, because he will return!
Live traps are very unlikely to catch a fox; worth trying, but unlikely to work.
Electric fencing or electrified poultry fencing are great to keep ground predators out. Howard E has good information on this site, and Premier1supplies.com is an excellent place for supplies and information.
Let your neighbors know about this fox, especially anyone with chickens, so more people are ready for him.
So sorry for your losses, and good luck getting him.
Mary
 
Oh thats interesting! Did u have it on a timer to do that?
no the razor comes on with the motion detector lights. You can buy a screw in socket for one of the lights that has a wall plug built into it and you plug the electric razor in there. I could hear it and see the light come on very late at night almost every night until the bear came and ate all the eggs and that was it, game over but the hen did fine he just wanted her eggs.
 
A trap is probably your best bet. Those little suckers are quick so even if you are lucky enough to see it getting a shot would be tough. I would also suggest covering or concealing the trap. I will slip them into narrow space between pallets or in the larger plants like lilies.
 
So sorry to hear that I can’t believe a fox got them in afternoon especially being a dog owner?!?
I know! It surprised me as well. I guess he was really desperate and was stalking us and then saw its moment to strike when I took her in to eat. Thanks for the suggestions! I may try them.
Is your coop raised or flat on the ground?.
My coop is an old building turned into a coop. We have decided to make a run and new coop for the new flock and my surviving girls. Would u suggest it be raised off the ground when we build a new one?

Keep your birds in their safe coop (and run) until this fox is killed, because he will return!
Live traps are very unlikely to catch a fox; worth trying, but unlikely to work.
Electric fencing or electrified poultry fencing are great to keep ground predators out. Howard E has good information on this site, and Premier1supplies.com is an excellent
So sorry for your losses, and good luck getting him.
Mary

Yes! Yesterday I let the girls out for 2 hours to forage but I didnt dare leave them for one moment. I know he will keep trying now and it makes me so angry that after all this time by girls have to be cooped up till he is gone. We have decided to build a new coop and use the electric poultry fencing to be part of their run.
 
Also thank you all for your suggestions and condolences .I cant believe I have to go through with this with all the precautions we took but i guess its part of the gig. :confused: Just wish we didnt have casulties :hit

A trap is probably your best bet. Those little suckers are quick so even if you are lucky enough to see it getting a shot would be tough. I would also suggest covering or concealing the trap. I will slip them into narrow space between pallets or in the larger plants like lilies.
Ill try that! Thank you! I wanna get this fox so bad.
 
Also thank you all for your suggestions and condolences .I cant believe I have to go through with this with all the precautions we took but i guess its part of the gig. :confused: Just wish we didnt have casulties :hit

Ill try that! Thank you! I wanna get this fox so bad.
Happens to everyone. I’ve taken so many precautions. My bf tells me it’s so hard having pets that have a plethora of predators. We want them to have happy foraging lives so it’s hard to find a balance of safety and happiness such is life. Best of luck
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom