Foxes.

[briana1975]

We were just on our way home this evening and not even a mile from our house was a family of foxes in the field playing. There was at least 8 of them, and it was right across the road from someone else with chickens. The fox kits were almost the same size as the parents. It was wonderful to watch.

Does anyone know of the range they will travel? And if they aren't hunting in my yard yet soon those kits will be leaving their parents. We have been having problems with coons and possoms in the barn. They haven't found the chickens but they are getting into a lot and being distructive. And now that the corn is in we need to have them off our property.

Will a fox go into a trap? Or do you need to be there and see them and shoot them if they are being a problem? More to worry about now that we have the chickens. We do lock them up at night. The coop is steel sided, 2 vinyl windows covered in hardwire cloth. The chicken door is padlocked each night, and the people door is a solid steel entry door with a door knob and 4' up is a latch locked into place with a caribeaner.

Anything else I should be doing so the foxes don't become a problem. They are so beautiful I would rather not have to shoot one, so if I can be proactive on protecting the chickens I would rather do that.

 

[Boyd]

I havn't done this for chickens, but electric fencing? A lot of people here say that is a good deterrent.

 

[briana1975]

Hi, Boyd. I read your post about not relocating and I agree. I just hope these foxes do not become a problem. I will look into the electric fence. My husband said something about it before. I grew up with it around the goats.

 

[Boyd]

I'm with some of the people that I disagree with that its best to predator proof your coop as much as you can... but I have to do a little extra because of where I live (waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much woods) ....... I know there is a fox in our area, but the closest he's been spotted is 2 fields away (1/4 - 1/2 mile away)

If the kits are young it seems like they would not like to be zapped

I just end up with dummies that car pool in that don't know any better.

If all else fails, set out traps or poison and you'll know for sure if they are checking out your girls. I rather be proactive and not loose any more, thats why my traps are generally baited 24/7