How do I free range my chickens with a Fox in the woods??

[fishin_dad]

My property is surrounded by woods on three out of the four sides and we have always had a problem with foxes but this certain fox keeps coming back so I can’t free range my hens. Normally this would be fine but The hens are out around 9 hours each day and because of the Fox they’re now locked in their run all day and they need to stretch their legs and get fresh greens. Also I don’t have enough time to sit out there and watch them. What should I do to get rid of that Fox?

Get an outside dog or find someone that has a dog and collect the dog poo and spread it around your perimeter. We had a fox get 2 chickens and then we got a large breed puppy. My dogs go out occasionally but stay inside most of the time. When we scoop their poo we throw it in the edge of the woods and the fox has not been back in over a year.

 

[centrarchid]

Seriously? Are really criticizing a set up where chickens free range all day with a guard dog, have access to woods and access to a huge lawn all day? Let’s see your set-up.

I deal face to face with experts on chickens that see failings in the free-range approach as they see it. Most free-range keeping efforts do appear to fall under how the experts see it where forage is insignificant. My intent is to make so the forages are significant and know enough now to better converse with the experts. I think free-range foraging as shown in this thread can be bettered with resources at hand.

I do not see where I criticized use of a guard dog. I kinda use dogs, kinda.

As for my my setup, check out my postings on the subject as it considers forages and habitat management.

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

I just read through this whole thread. Following as I have a sort of similar issue, we have lost a lot of chickens during the day to foxes. I’m following as it is really fascinating to read other people’s experiences.

 

[centrarchid]

I just read through this whole thread. Following as I have a sort of similar issue, we have lost a lot of chickens during the day to foxes. I’m following as it is really fascinating to read other people’s experiences.

I am not an expert, but do have experience. First, I always have capacity to contain birds when needed. Then have a range of approaches that can be used in many combinations. Most of time my foxes are not coming first for chickens. They are coming in for whatever they find as part of patrolling their territory. Currently, fox is coming in only at night based on game cameras and when losses have occurred. I have had broody hens roosting on ground because sometimes they want to which I must work against. Therefore all birds, excepting a few in the barn, are penned about dark. All the birds are currently imprinted on roosting sites I can protect. Fox seldom visits during day in part because birds (songbirds included) alert dogs fox is about so dogs check out the disturbance. When chickens are roosting on ground or in pens fox might try to beat, then I have an electrified perimeter going. It is easy to see the fox respects fencing using game camera. My fencing has gaps made for dogs that most critters do not figure out. When a fox figures out the gap, then we setup to eliminate the fox using foot-hold trap. I have a bait station out all the time with a depression made for the trap. If fox to be trapped, the station baited for a couple nights or more to get fox coming to it regularly for a snack. Then I set out trap and catch that fox. We may then go for a night or two watching camera to make certain that fox is the only one coming in. When cost appears clear, then chickens are released again.

I use dogs, but they must cover several acres which can be tough when your predator is the Red Fox. My property has about 3 acres of mowed ground and an additional 3 acres chickens use that are early successional with lots of American Persimmon trees, Red Oaks, Smooth Sumac and brambles. The area is exceptional productive with respect to forages for chickens. That comes at the cost of ground that can appear unkempt and supports a lot of wildlife.

 

[Folly's place]

My flock free ranges most days, in an area including a mature spruce windbreak, livestock pasture, and occasionally mowed field. They cover maybe four or five acres of ground in total, none of which is treated with herbicides or pesticides. Our current dogs, both rescue terriers, love chicken, and are fenced away from the flock.
We are in farm country, with woods, pastures, and corn fields about 1/3 mile away. So good wildlife habitat, including ponds and way too many Canada geese!
Over 25+ years we've had one fox attack, a nearly bald mangy individual who killed ten nice hens one afternoon, seen by a neighboring workman. He (the fox!) was shot by another neighbor the following week, in part because I visited many neighbors to let them know what happened. We couldn't get a clear shot at him, and he didn't trap either.
Otherwise, we've had occasional losses to hawks, usually young/ smaller birds, and Cooper's hawks. And one disastrous spring, when our dog fencing failed, to one of our current dogs.
When we had dogs who were good with the flock, they did help. Just having dogs nearby, although fenced, has helped to discourage other foxes and coyotes.
In general, LGDs are the very most expensive option for protecting a flock of chickens!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

The most important thing that will save your birds most often, is a predator night time coop. and a coop and safe run large enough for your flock to be on lockdown for two or three weeks at a time if it's necessary. Here in snow country, that can include time when the birds don't want to tread out there, and especially if there is a hawk attack, or another predator arrives, before it can be eliminated, or gives up.
Day time disasters do happen, but all chickens are easy targets at night!
One dog, however terrific, can't patrol 24/7, and still needs to be fenced. A pair or trio of dogs works, but again, needs to be fenced.
Mary

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I currently use a 100lb. Doberman security system. I have no foxes, coyotes, raccoons, possums, hawks or anything else for that matter.

View attachment 2159920

You don’t have any 130 to 160 lb humans getting chickens either do ya?

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Yes I free range all year long but every spring the foxes come back! I've got a secure coop ( they get locked in it every night and it has chicken wire around the bottom ) and two dogs but it still seems to always come back!! I also don't have a fence because they have a small run, the whole thing is muddy dirt though, and I don't want to have to kill it because I have neighbors behind me and I don't want to shoot them!

Sounds like they definitely come back in the spring when they have kits just for the food source. Maybe next year you could trap them very early spring if you could find their den and get the jump on them. They probably come back to the same one every year there also. If you could be prepared to erase them in the den maybe that’s the ticket somehow??? As to what that is beyond food a trap and a gun I have no idea!

 

[Butterscotchbitesfinger]

I am not an expert, but do have experience. First, I always have capacity to contain birds when needed. Then have a range of approaches that can be used in many combinations. Most of time my foxes are not coming first for chickens. They are coming in for whatever they find as part of patrolling their territory. Currently, fox is coming in only at night based on game cameras and when losses have occurred. I have had broody hens roosting on ground because sometimes they want to which I must work against. Therefore all birds, excepting a few in the barn, are penned about dark. All the birds are currently imprinted on roosting sites I can protect. Fox seldom visits during day in part because birds (songbirds included) alert dogs fox is about so dogs check out the disturbance. When chickens are roosting on ground or in pens fox might try to beat, then I have an electrified perimeter going. It is easy to see the fox respects fencing using game camera. My fencing has gaps made for dogs that most critters do not figure out. When a fox figures out the gap, then we setup to eliminate the fox using foot-hold trap. I have a bait station out all the time with a depression made for the trap. If fox to be trapped, the station baited for a couple nights or more to get fox coming to it regularly for a snack. Then I set out trap and catch that fox. We may then go for a night or two watching camera to make certain that fox is the only one coming in. When cost appears clear, then chickens are released again.

I use dogs, but they must cover several acres which can be tough when your predator is the Red Fox. My property has about 3 acres of mowed ground and an additional 3 acres chickens use that are early successional with lots of American Persimmon trees, Red Oaks, Smooth Sumac and brambles. The area is exceptional productive with respect to forages for chickens. That comes at the cost of ground that can appear unkempt and supports a lot of wildlife.

Wow, thanks for the information. I have had chickens for about 6 years however we have only caught the fox in the act once, it was at 2 pm and our Great Dane saved our hen. I haven’t ever tried to relocate or even trap because I have no idea how to do it neither do either of my parents. And guns are banned in Australia, I wish they weren’t but unfortunately they are so I can’t shoot it. But this thread has me really interested.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

Get an outside dog or find someone that has a dog and collect the dog poo and spread it around your perimeter. We had a fox get 2 chickens and then we got a large breed puppy. My dogs go out occasionally but stay inside most of the time. When we scoop their poo we throw it in the edge of the woods and the fox has not been back in over a year.

That’s awesome. I have two dogs. A third on the horizon. Wished this worked on coons but we have foxes also and coyotes who are brave. I’m concerned since we won’t have a roo.