Fox Proofing The Pen?

[HomesteadDucks]

I just found fox prints in my duck enclosure. Luckily I don't have ducks outside right now (they're still in the brooder) but I need a way to fox proof the pen before they go outside. Does anyone have creative solutions? I was thinking maybe planting black berries around the fences perimeter to deter them from climbing over but I don't know if that would work or not.

Also, we lost last years flock to a hawk. Any ideas for that?

 

[chickens r life]

Install a motion detected solar light. You can get them on amazon for pretty cheap. Lights tend to scare predators off.

 

[chickens r life]

What kind of area do they live in? is it fenced? Do they have somewhere to sleep at night? I'm assuming the enclosure does not of a roof of any sort since a hawk got in.

 

[birdmanmax]

Put a roof over the top(grey foxes are the only foxes that can climb) and put an L shaped curtain around the pen about a foot out level with the ground so then when a fox or any other animal attempts to dig they cannot.

In my opinion lights don't work at all I have lights on my house that I turn on to see the night time critters out and about and foxes, raccoons, opossums, owls, and coyotes never run/fly away when I turn the light on. And even if the light worked it would only be temporary, they would figure out that the lights do nothing..

 

[HomesteadDucks]

I have 6 foot horse fencing (5 feet above ground and 1 foot below). This is supposed to be enough to prevent coyotes from jumping over and foxes from climbing under. I am not entirely sure that the paw prints I saw were that of a fox. This was just my assumption. But they clearly show a trail emerging from the woods, climbing over the fence (there is no digging in the snow) and walking around the inside of the enclosure. The ducks are locked into their house at night which is predator proof. The hawk took 5 of my 6 ducks last summer and soon after a land critter took the last of them because I accidentally left their door open one night. That one was my fault unfortunately. We have seen a skunk around as well. Could they be killing the ducks?

 

[birdmanmax]

A picture of your set up would help to figure out your problem and also a picuture of the prints (if possible) to if the animal.

 

[donkeydew2farms]

hi homesteadducks I have fox and raccoon problems I just made a new pen with 5 foot fencing put chicken wire around that it kept the fox out but not the coon so I hot wired it on the top and the bottom so they can.t go under or over and I use a solar charger. I am in the process of doing every thing in hot wirer. I hate to say I hope they all fry . the coon was eating my eggs and the fox ate my ducks. if this does not work I will be out there with a gun. t wish you luck.

 

[HomesteadDucks]

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Here is my setup (house and fence). Sorry I couldn't get picks of the tracks as the snow has melted off quite a bit since yesterday. I also threw in a pic of my new ducklings because I just got them a few minutes ago and they're too cute to not share.

 

[HomesteadDucks]

 

[chickens r life]

You should get a roof on ur run. Also, make sure that the fencing is sturdy.