Fox

[THough1956]

I had an interesting day yesterday. Mid afternoon I was out working in my yard and decided to put 3 young hens in a drop pen to eat some fresh grass and enjoy the sunshine. Me and my son went in to get something to eat and heard my dogs in their pen raising cane, I thought they were fighting and rushed out to break them up only to find a red fox trying to pull one of my hens out out of the drop pen. He was so busy with her he did not notice he hap tipped the pen and the other 2 were on the outside loose. He did not run away until I was within about 6 feet of him. He came back last night and tried to dig his way into my main pens.

Anyone know how to get rid of a fox other than shooting him? A neighbor recently killed one that was rabid and also had to put his dog down because its shots had lapsed.

I really do hate killing any animal. It may just be a mom trying to feed her pups, just nature doing what it needs to survive. I do keep my pens as safe as possible.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

Electric fencing will keep the fox away. Also, your pens should have an apron of hardware cloth buried along the perimiter if they are permanent pens. If they are the kind you move, a wire apron above ground and weighting the pen down should help.

 

[Southernbelle]

I have a fox problem, too. I called the Game Warden to find out what my rights are and he told me I could trap it on my own property even if it's out of season. He said the leg traps worked best because they're really hard to get into a live trap. Shooting it would work, too, but I've never shot a gun before and I figured the middle of the night was not the time for me to be learning.

I have actually done none of those things to take care of my fox problem. My neighbor FREAKED out at the idea of the leg traps. I was kind enough to call her and tell her to pen up her outside cats for a few days to avoid the traps. She called me everything but a white woman and called all the authorities she could think of to stop me. I was within my rights, so nothing came of it, but in the interest of being a good neighbor, I didn't use the traps. So, all I've done is make sure the fox can't dig into the coop and make sure all my animals are locked up every night. But if any manage to get out without my knowing, they're as good as dead.

One rabbit cage that I was growing out some New Zealands and the cage door kept coming open somehow. If 8 got out one night, I'd round up 7 rabbits the next morning. If 7 got out a few nights later, I'd round up 6 come morning.

Finally, I wired the door shut. I wouldn't be surprised if kids were coming by to "pet the pretty bunnies."

 

[THough1956]

I am going to check into electric fencing options. I don't have electric at my big pens, but I think maybe I can get a battery operated one. To shady for solar.

I could never do a steel trap, that is so inhumane.

He is not one bit afraid of my big dogs, he has figured out I have them penned up at night.

Foxes are beautiful creatures though aren't they.

 

[sourland]

They are beautiful creatures, and they are feeding kits right now, and they will kill all of your chickens unless you kill or deter them. It sounds as if this fox is pretty well habituated to people and will remain focused on killing your chickens. Electric fencing is a very effective option.

 

[bakerjw]

We have a fox in our vicinity as well in fact we've seen in pass through the yard a few times in the last month or so. Unfortunately for it I have no qualms about dealing with it. Our girls are going to be in as solid of a fenced in enclosure as I can get and the goal is to get them used to going into the coop and locking it up for the night. We'll just take it from there.

 

[patnjess]

Quote:
Ok this part scared me. Especially since you said there has been rabies in the fox population near by. A fox who is losing fear is a scary thing. If it is not afraid of your dogs, YOU need to be afraid of it. Rabies is a neuro disorder and it will alter their patterns, and it doesn't happen over night. Next, and not trying to scare you, but they will wander up and bite you, especially children playing. We have a lot of foxes around here. Hardly ever see them during the day except dusk/dawn and they are SCARED. Yours isn't.
I'm not saying it is rabid, but with it happening near by it very well could be.

I know your trying to be humane, I can appreciate that, but not at your own expense. Catch in a humane trap, then have someone else do it.

Thats just my opinion I wouldn't risk it, not just for my chickens but my family.

 

[me and my marans]

maybe the fox has become domesticated as foxes can become very friendly!! (but not to a potential meal, aka... chicken)

 

[Karen_at_LittleBrook]

They have portable, lightweight electric netting-type fencing. Some are also solar powered. They make them for portable pet/chicken/horse yards. Maybe you wouldnt need much once the fox gets a taste of it. Try http://www.kencove.com/fence/87_Portable+Fence_resource.php to get an idea.

Good Luck!

 

[BankerJohn]

Try a Fish hook tied to 100# test fishing line (about 15 feet, tied to the base of a tree. Bait the hook with a piece of raw beef (cube steak works well). A 1/0 hook works well. A fox will smell the raw meat and eat it. You will find him the next day sitting at the base of the tree and sitting still for the shot that ends his misery.

Sorry for the mental graphics but you mentioned the word "RABID" I'd take no chances at all.