Fox killed some, question on returning others

[Tootsie]

A fox has taken out some chickens at the camp I work at. It started 5/9 but I didn't know until last week it was a fox when the fox was spotted and got a few more.

I took the remaining youngsters out. There are still 1 roo and 2 hens there and one guinea.

My question involves the 3 adults that I removed (2 roos and a 5 year old hen) 3 days ago. They are unhappy here and have to be crated to prevent WWIII and I already have 14 males in the barn now. Noah accidentally got out Sat night and was all beat up then today Carmella got out and she ended up flying over my fence and it took me almost an hour to get her trolloping through poison ivy since she has never been outside here before and didn;t know where she was. SHould I take them back to camp and let them take their chances as at least 400 campers will be arriving on Saturday and there will be a lot more people around the farm area. Also now all the counselors have arrived so there are about 80 of them around already. Someone told me he had chickens and that smart ones survive and the others get eaten but I don;t know that is true. It is a lot of extra work having them here but I am trying to save their lives.

Please advise asap. Thanks

 

[Judy]

Please check into your state laws. In most states, it is illegal to relocate a trapped predator, unless to something like a wildlife refuge. It is often illegal to transport them. And there are probably regulations in every state about trapping them in the first place.

Chickens have very little natural defense against a fox. Predators like fox, coon, and coyote will take chickens in a heartbeat.

 

[G Wiz Ranch]

I called the California Fish and Game, they told me if I have a problem, that I can trap them and call them and they will come and pick it up. Or if I had the means, I could destroy it (predator) and bury it or they would pick up the carcass. I recently lost 2 new chickens that I put in with my ducks 2x4 welded wire fence> Never had a duck dumb enough to put its head through the fence, but the first morning 2 of the chickens did, I both lost thier heads. I used one of those HavaHart traps and used one of the dead chickens as bait. The next morning, I cought a large bobcat. I called F&G and they picked it up that same day.

 

[Tootsie]

I did find out it is against the law here in NJ to trap a fox. I will explore other options with fish and game if there are any. They used to pay a bounty for them years ago here in NJ.

I made a decision last night to return the 3 after dark since I hadn't got an answer from anyone yet and they were miserable here.

Groups are having meetings up right near the farm all day so I hope that helps. I will try and get the surrounding area weed wacked. The chickens have lived there without any foxes for 4 years until now.

If anyone else is killed I will try and catch all the rest and bring them back here. This is tough for me. I am on my way to there now and will see if all are well.