Fox prevention?

[Bitemynekk]

A couple of days ago a fox visited the property. My chickens were free ranging whilst I was inside and it left when I went out,not having attacked my girls which I thought was odd. I was sitting outside looking into why it may have done that shortly after and it came back and attacked my girls who were 15 feet away. By the time I'd run over it had caught my young Araucana and was in the process of trying to drag her through the fence. Luckily my husband ran over and scared it into dropping her and it ran. Page is still alive and being looked after but I want to prevent anything like that from happening again as it was horrific. I keep the chickens in a fox proof coop and thought they'd be safe free ranging if I was around in daylight. I'm wondering if anyone has any humane fox prevention strategies they could suggest? I'm on a rental property and can't get a dog or Alpacas as much as I'd love to. Ty xxoo

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

They sure do have a cheek don't they!! If it were me I would be making an enclosed run for them untill you have this fox problem under control because there is nothing surer that it will be back and will also have a family. Also if you can reinforce your perimeter fence to stop it getting in.
Also I've got no scientific proof but apparently male human urine around the perimeter is meant to keep them away.
If you are free ranging your birds I would do it under supervision just incase it makes another attack. Good luck and hope it dosnt return.

 

[appps]

I think the alpacas are over rated anyway, my boss has lost quite a few sheep to dogs and all the alpaca has done has been the only one not killed.

That is pretty worrying that they are coming round with you there. If so I think I would be tempted to try baiting it because your coop is going to be its mission in life I suspect. Im all for humane but Im also anti-feral animals, and its not just your chickens but a lot of other native life it would be killing.

You can also rent animal traps from your local pound for feral cats, I am guessing a fox would also get caught. They cost but they come and take the animal away and put it down for you as well.

 

[Bitemynekk]

Ty for the replies. I did hear male urine can be a deterrent. My other half has been obliging there as we figured it was worth a try. As far as getting the fox problem under control, I live just next to the woods so I suspect it will always be a concern. I think my free ranging days are over. I'm definitely not going to let them out without an enclosure, and at present I'm even hesitant to do that.
Traps to catch the fox is a great thought. I'll look into that. Ty both xxoo

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

I too have the same problem, we have a wood next to us and I hear them most days. It's always a worry even though I have them enclosed. I did have a fox attack and it was devastating was so upset. It had found a gap in my perimeter fence and broken it down a bit more to get in. I thought my coop was fox proof but obviously wasn't.
The cheek of the thing was unbelievable came back for several nights afterwards to check for more birds. Thankfully my better half is a shooting man and stayed up throughout several nights. A week after the attack he caught it coming back in again and shot it.
I believe it to be a humane way it's dead before the gun goes bang with the bullet travelling at 3,500 feet per second, although I know not all agree.

 

[MelissaZeno]

I've been letting my flock free range for 5 months my first flock. Just a few days ago I saw a fox in the field in front of my house and it took off when I went to the door and let my dogs out. I live right next to a busy highway. This is the first time I've seen a fox this close to my house.
Would you play the radio inside the coop or on the outside?

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Never thought of a radio I might give it a whirl. I would have it outside the coop I think though

 

[MelissaZeno]

sounds like a good idea now to find a radio to use. and then where to put it.

 

[Bitemynekk]

Melissa...it WILL be back. Please please be wary. I've had my flock the same amount of time as you and this was the first issue. Before the fox attacked it was in my yard qn hour earlier eating grass. It left my chickens alone but I had time to photograph it. It ran when I went outside. I was sick that day or it would have clicked. I was sitting outside looking into why it did that when all of a sudden it was back and attacking.

Yorkshire, you have a great man there. I grew up in the city and never thought I'd be thinking of getting a gun, but I'm seeing the necessity. As much as I've always loved foxes, if it's a fox vs my girls there's no contest.

 

[jtn42248]

Be it a Fox or anything else...if it comes on my property with the intent of harming any person, bird, dog or anything else that I have committed to protect and provide for...it will be lucky to get a warning shot before it meets its maker. I do not condone the wanton and arbitrary killing of anything (I am not a hunter and I do not butcher my birds - that is just me and not a judgement on anyone else) but my property is my domain and as such it is my right to protect all who have sanctuary on it. Just as I would not knowingly transgress their domain I expect mine to be respected. I know they are "wild" animals but they learn and know when to stay away from areas marked by my dogs.