Fox proof run/paddock - is it possible???

[Julie S]

We have 9 hens 3-4 months old and they've been in their coop for a little over a month now. They love being let out to forage, don't go too far and go back into the coop on their own. The problem is the neighborhood fox(es) have gotten my neighbor's rooster during the late MORNING, luckily he came back several hours after the attack just minus his tail feathers. The neighbor had been cutting the grass and went in for a drink when the attack happened by not one, but 2 fox. Now we're all afraid to let our chickens out and when we do we have to "chicken-sit" the entire time. Killing the fox isn't an option either...it's just trying to survive. We just need to "outfox" the fox...

We live on 5 1/2 acres and have plenty of would be predators, but this fox problem has be discouraged. Our coop sits near a wooded section of our property which we thought about running a tall fence to create several paddocks for the chickens to forage in. I just don't know what a fox is capable of jumping or climbing over and didn't know if electrifying a fence would work.

I also thought about make a lightweight, portable cage/tractor (w/o wheels) to move around the yard. Maybe 3-4 ft wide by 2 ft high by 10 ft long. It wouldn't necessarily be fox or predator proof but it would be a barrier only be used if I were out in the yard or for short daytime periods where I could view it from the window...maybe leave our dog outside with them. Btw, the dog is great with the chickens but loses interest or gets distracted and forgets about them.

I would appreciate any ideas that anyone has found helpful in situations like this.

 

[LindaB220]

We have 9 hens 3-4 months old and they've been in their coop for a little over a month now. They love being let out to forage, don't go too far and go back into the coop on their own. The problem is the neighborhood fox(es) have gotten my neighbor's rooster during the late MORNING, luckily he came back several hours after the attack just minus his tail feathers. The neighbor had been cutting the grass and went in for a drink when the attack happened by not one, but 2 fox. Now we're all afraid to let our chickens out and when we do we have to "chicken-sit" the entire time. Killing the fox isn't an option either...it's just trying to survive. We just need to "outfox" the fox...

We live on 5 1/2 acres and have plenty of would be predators, but this fox problem has be discouraged. Our coop sits near a wooded section of our property which we thought about running a tall fence to create several paddocks for the chickens to forage in. I just don't know what a fox is capable of jumping or climbing over and didn't know if electrifying a fence would work.

I also thought about make a lightweight, portable cage/tractor (w/o wheels) to move around the yard. Maybe 3-4 ft wide by 2 ft high by 10 ft long. It wouldn't necessarily be fox or predator proof but it would be a barrier only be used if I were out in the yard or for short daytime periods where I could view it from the window...maybe leave our dog outside with them. Btw, the dog is great with the chickens but loses interest or gets distracted and forgets about them.

I would appreciate any ideas that anyone has found helpful in situations like this.

Hey Julie,

That's certainly an option. I bought an 2' high cage that is 3.5 x 6' long for my little ones to roam in. But I have 16 and they are almost 8 wks old so I'd have to take shifts. They are in a 7.5' x 12' dog kennel that is tinned (roof) and predator proofed so they seem happy as they are. Maybe my next babies will have the opportunity to use it.

 

[donrae]

That last one, with the chain link fence, the fox is obviously down a paw, and still scaled that fence with ease. I'm not sure fencing them out is possible. I'd be hunting the fox, or going with your tractor idea, something with a roof that's sturdy enough they can't tip or pull it over.

 

[3riverschick]

Why don't you try Wolf Urine from Predator Pee ? Tried and true deterrent.
http://www.predatorpee.com/ Ask if they think it will upset the poultry.
Best,
Karen

 

[centrarchid]

I use a combination of tactics. Cover patches and feeding stations keeps vulnerable birds centered on an area bounded by fence. Very young birds are confined to chicken tractors and older yet still juvenile birds are confined by electrified poultry netting. The whole setup has dogs which go after foxes probing confinement or even getting in after birds within fenced in area.

 

[4 the Birds]

We have 9 hens 3-4 months old and they've been in their coop for a little over a month now. They love being let out to forage, don't go too far and go back into the coop on their own. The problem is the neighborhood fox(es) have gotten my neighbor's rooster during the late MORNING, luckily he came back several hours after the attack just minus his tail feathers. The neighbor had been cutting the grass and went in for a drink when the attack happened by not one, but 2 fox. Now we're all afraid to let our chickens out and when we do we have to "chicken-sit" the entire time. Killing the fox isn't an option either...it's just trying to survive. We just need to "outfox" the fox...

We live on 5 1/2 acres and have plenty of would be predators, but this fox problem has be discouraged. Our coop sits near a wooded section of our property which we thought about running a tall fence to create several paddocks for the chickens to forage in. I just don't know what a fox is capable of jumping or climbing over and didn't know if electrifying a fence would work.

I also thought about make a lightweight, portable cage/tractor (w/o wheels) to move around the yard. Maybe 3-4 ft wide by 2 ft high by 10 ft long. It wouldn't necessarily be fox or predator proof but it would be a barrier only be used if I were out in the yard or for short daytime periods where I could view it from the window...maybe leave our dog outside with them. Btw, the dog is great with the chickens but loses interest or gets distracted and forgets about them.

I would appreciate any ideas that anyone has found helpful in situations like this.

I would build a secure large run so that they can be outside and so you can be free of "chicken-sit" full time. If you want them to free range then you should have a perimeter fence. Even some portable netting will give you a basic barrier to slow down a predator. A dog in the yard would certainly also discourage a predator. I commend you for not harming the fox or foxes as an option.

 

[JackE]

Here's my foxproof run/paddock. I lost a bunch of birds to the fox here, and the electrified poultry netting was the answer for me, for over 3 yrs now. Started with 300', liked it so much, I bought 350' more. A fox, or stray dog gets a taste of that fence, they immediately lose all interest in chickens. I'm using a 110VAC charger for the fence. You can get a solar charger if you want. I got my setup from Premier. They have everything you need, a one stop shop for sure.

 

[Julie S]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. The quick-fix part of the plan is to still make a portable enclosure but I'm going to investigate the electric poultry fencing. I'd seen some of those links of the fox jumping/climbing the fences which is why I was at a loss for a solution. Time to go "chicken-sit" pretty soon!

 

[LindaB220]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. The quick-fix part of the plan is to still make a portable enclosure but I'm going to investigate the electric poultry fencing. I'd seen some of those links of the fox jumping/climbing the fences which is why I was at a loss for a solution. Time to go "chicken-sit" pretty soon!

I've got pitt bulls around me. Got to have a top on my run