Fox problem

[astalwawen]

They really need to be kept locked up all the time, unless you are going to be right there outside with them.

 

[HEChicken]

They really need to be kept locked up all the time, unless you are going to be right there outside with them.

I disagree with this. I don't believe it is any life for them to be locked up all the time with no ability to do the things they naturally do: forage, find bugs, etc, etc. In my case, I built a Fort Knox coop and gave them a 1-acre fenced yard, that has a 5' high fence. They should be relatively safe in it, yet still have access to greens, to creating wonderful dust bathing spots, to finding shade at different times of the day (I know many people who have lost birds to the heat wave we've had recently, simply because they were penned and unable to escape the heat). They can catch grasshoppers all day long and never run out, and the eggs they produce are as healthy as I've ever seen from the clover, dandelions, and other greens they eat throughout the day. An auto door makes sure they are always locked in at night and nothing can get in to them.

The fox who visited us did so, somewhat uncharacteristically by visiting in broad daylight. He climbed the fence. He won't be back and the addition of a livestock guardian dog to our property will ensure the flock can continue to enjoy their time out without danger from another such visitor.

 

[JamesSyn]

I had all 3 ducks out and this animal only took one (the dominant female)...could it have been something other than a fox since there were not multiple fatalities? M in-law suggested perhaps a coon. No real blood trail and no remains, just a small feather trail leading to a flattened out spot with more feathers not more than 50 yards away from their pen after making a small loop through the woods.

 

[JamesSyn]

In my case, neither of the things mentioned here turned out to be the case. Just one week ago today, we had a fox attack. It was at 5:30pm, in broad daylight, and he got 14 of my birds. He returned the same time the next day and got two more. He won't be getting any more. I found a .22 to be an excellent deterrent.

Prior to this, we had sprinkled pee ALL around the yard. He didn't care.

My husband and daughter are all over the .22 idea and we have been staking out a bit. Unfortunately the pen is close to LP tank so we are thinking live trap also. Hate to kill a momma with kits to feed but I am not going to be her grocery store either.

 

[Marwan]

In my case, neither of the things mentioned here turned out to be the case. Just one week ago today, we had a fox attack. It was at 5:30pm, in broad daylight, and he got 14 of my birds. He returned the same time the next day and got two more. He won't be getting any more. I found a .22 to be an excellent deterrent.

Prior to this, we had sprinkled pee ALL around the yard. He didn't care.

well i havent needed to do it because mine are indoor ducks. but when they were smaller and were kind of outdoor ducks and i had 2 chickens a fox came and killed my chicken. because in the uk they are vermin and were legally allowed to kill them, so much soo that if we catch one on purpose or accedently we have to call the animal services to come put it down. when one killed my chicken i left my ducks and remaining chicken outdoor one night alerted the neighbour that they might here loud sounds and sat in the window with a cross bow. got rid of 16 foxes in 2 days but my duckies chase them off anyways. but like i said it isnt a rule because a hungry fox or a fox with babies will hunt in the day. especially the hungry braver ones. just most of them are nocturnal naturally but they are smart horrible critters.

 

[Marwan]

alternatively an wound up angry male goose will do the job of protecting the flock. unless it turns on the flock which ive heard stories of :S

 

[jdywntr]

After consulting my trusty "Storey's Guide", could be a fox or a cat. Both leave little to no evidence behind. I understand your concern over killing a mother and it wasn't too long ago that I would have said live trap only. But after moving to a rural area and having spent a decent amount of money on new birds, I would just as soon a new population not be reared in my area. I am seriously considering getting a LGD but since we are only renting, I don't know how crazy I want to get with aquiring animals. Hubby has to wrap his head around a dog that lives outside only too.

 

[JamesSyn]

After consulting my trusty "Storey's Guide", could be a fox or a cat. Both leave little to no evidence behind. I understand your concern over killing a mother and it wasn't too long ago that I would have said live trap only. But after moving to a rural area and having spent a decent amount of money on new birds, I would just as soon a new population not be reared in my area. I am seriously considering getting a LGD but since we are only renting, I don't know how crazy I want to get with aquiring animals. Hubby has to wrap his head around a dog that lives outside only too.

"LGD"?????

 

[HEChicken]

"LGD"?????

LGD = Livestock Guardian Dog

 

[PeanutnCashew]

check out fox in action, they are determined