Frustrated...just wanted to see if any one else has this problem

[flyawayfarms]

I have been loosing chickens and guineas and I was sure it was a fox. So I have been very careful about getting my lovely ladies in at a respectable time. Friday that darn critter was so bold he came to the barnyard at 11am! If we had not have been taking a coffee break on the back patio he would have succeeded in getting an early lunch. The normal losses have occured just before they go in at night. I only know this because with me being home during the day I do a head count. I have put a live trap out the last couple weeks but to no avail. I did not know that foxes would raid during the day time like that. I thought it was at dawn and dusk. I am calling the DNR and county coop extention office today but I am sure they will not be much help but I think I have to have a permit to trap out of season. Would love to take more drastic measures but worry about my goats or neighboring dogs becoming the victoms of my anger. Well thanks for listening.

 

[jenjscott]

Foxed get real brave, and she's probably feeding the next generation of chicken snatchers. I know what you mean about your goats and neighbor's dog. I had a friend that wanted to get rid of the big turtle that was eating all his swan babies. He saw it on the surface one day and took a shot at it. The bullet ricocheted and killed his crossback donkey on the other side of the pond.

 

[Judy]

It is tricky to catch a fox in a trap. As I understand it, the pros handle the trap with cowhide gloves and otherwise make sure no human scent is left. Foxes prefer dawn or dusk hunting, but will often hunt in the daytime at this time of year, esp. if it is a mother with babies. I lost several to foxes last year; saw the attacks in some cases, in the middle of the day. What stopped it for me was guard dogs.

 

[flyawayfarms]

I had seriously thought about a guard dog when I had all my goats (over 50 does, but we didn't have any incidents) but we have got down to four or five because we are gone so much on the weekends barrel racing. I have three Jack Russels now but they are contained in the backyard, they like my chickens too. hahhaaha We are so busy with the horses this time of year that I don't have time to train a dog and I here they roam and while I have 12 acres the fencing along the back woods isn't the best and I keep the horses and goats in with hot wire. I thought about contacting someone that traps and have him set up in the woods, the livestock doesn't get in there.