Fox Question....

[Calebs Acre]

jenjen:

What kind of dog is that in the photo? NEXT....I have a terrible problem with mosquito bites, but I was considering sitting out there all night anyway. This stinks.

Nancy

 

[jenjen]

She's a boarder collie/ australian shepard mix. My Husband asked if he needs to build a little lookout tower/sleeping platform for me

 

[Calebs Acre]

Oh, that lookout tower is a GREAT idea! I want one!

 

[jenjen]

Good Luck waiting for the fox. I pray he doesn't come tonight. I just almost know he will. I can't wait anymore. Too tired. Again, hope all is well in the morning

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Is it even illegal to kill a red fox even if they are killing your livestock? Because I have been told that I am permitted to shoot anything that is killing my livestock(except for hawks and such). Check for a loophole when it comes to your animals, you may be permitted to do something about the fox if it is taking your birds(missing hens).

As for not being able to shoot it, there was an excellent article in this section about trapping and killing fox without shooting. Let me see if I can find it for you.

-Kim

 

[Wolf-Kim]

I found the thread I was speaking of, it is an excellent(!!) thread on trapping fox and killing them without firearms. Read the whole thread. He explains how to trap in the initial post and then how he kills it in the second page.

Trapping Fox Successfully

Make sure you check your laws closely in reference to "livestock protection" and not just "hunting", because many areas prohibit the shooting of fox out of season but if they are taking livestock it is permitted.

-Kim

 

[Calebs Acre]

Wolf-Kim:
They consider the red fox to be "endangered" and it is protected.

Thanks for the thread info on trapping and killing. I can always take the chance and kill it and just try not to get caught. That is the easiest way.

I will also research about the laws. But our county/town is almost all suburban with very tiny areas even permitting agricultural animals. Our politicians are concerned about the railroad going to NYC, parking, overdevelopment and other urban concerns. Most of them would have NO IDEA about the concerns of a mini farm. I am concerned about drawing too much attention to me for fear it will cause them to rezone.

Nancy

 

[Calebs Acre]

Well, I went outside to assess the damage and I lost three young chickens (including my favorite---Dumpling) and one juvenile Muscovy, which surprised me. Horrible night. We will be working on pens tonight and I guess changing our entire procedure for everything.

Damned predators! Thanks for all of the information provided.

 

[Grass]

i've watched a fox den less than 100yards from my house in the woods with 3 pups and have never once seen one come into the yard...it helps i think because my dog has been here 12 years and is never on leash..we'll see how it goes thru the winter thisyear since thats when most preditors are looking for an easy meal,and this is gonna be my first winter comming up with chickens

 

[bangor777]

I'm so sorry for your losses! Just a note of caution....We live in maine and had our first fox loss a couple of weeks ago, unwitnessed, it was only in hindsight that we knew what it was.
A few days later the fox came back and killed 8 of my birds at three o clock in the afternoon! We locked the birds up in the coop for 2 weeks after that. The second day we let them out the fox was back and took a hen from under a bush only 3 feet from our front porch, with my mom sitting in a rocker right there! This attack was also in the afternoon. Since then I've had the flock in an enclosed run during the day (top and buried sides) and locked in the coop at night. We bought a trap and are waiting for bait we ordered online.

just letting you know that once they find you they don't always hunt at night. All of my losses occured in the middle of the day. The darn fox seems to know I have them locked up at night so he only comes during the day.

They are beautiful creatures, but I am so looking forward to using our 22 on him!

Good luck to you, keep us posted!