How do I kill a fox in a have-a-heart trap?

[cluckmecoop7]

Lol if you catch both there’ll only be a fox in the morning

LOL

That crossed my mind....but cat would close door.

Hey, thats right!!

 

[Howard E]

To the OP, forgive me for asking, but has this fox you are hoping to trap actually killed any birds? If so, what were the circumstances that allowed that to happen?

If yes or no, what protection does your coop and housing afford the birds such that no predator can get to them, thus avoiding the necessity of trapping at all?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Hello 'Howard E',

No, this fox has not gotten in - yet. It has been near the coop though as far as I can see. (foot prints in the snow) Last summer one of my girls injured her wing slightly because something (who knows what!!) got to near the coop and the chickens inside panicked. Luckily it wasn't to bad.
I want to get it so there's no risk! (Remember the saying: "BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY"?)

 

[Folly's place]

There will always be predators lusting after your birds, so having that safe coop and run is the most important thing!
Free ranging will mean losses sometimes, and you have to decide where your comfort level is; allow them outside and loose some, or keep them safe inside.
I lost a very nice pullet yesterday to a predator while free ranging my flock, and everyone will be locked in for a couple of weeks while either it moves on, or I figure it out.
Mary

 

[Howard E]

Ok, just looking for clarification. Good news is no losses to date, so no real sense of urgency. If you get him, fine. If not......the sun will still come up tomorrow.

For the record, I seem to be up to my eyeballs in predators, but to date, have never lost a bird to one so they are not a big concern to me. Key word is exclusion. The chicken house is tight, so at night, varmints can't get to them to do harm, so over time, I think most have just given up......that plus the chicken yard area is surrounded by a super hot electric fence.......and if and when one does come shopping, they get a good dose of that, so don't come back.

Looks like you also have a tight coop.....the exclusion part....., but varmints still are able to get close enough to harass the birds and probe for an opening.

If are unable to trap him, and he keeps hanging around, consider that as an option. Benefit of the fence is to move the varmints back to arm's length vs. point blank range, and creates an hazard to navigation so to speak.....makes life more exciting for the varmints and less so for the birds.

As for the original question, I always suggest Zombieland Rule #2, the double tap.....to the head.

 

[RoosterML]

FWIW a pellet gun at point blank will do just as well as a .22 for most animals caught is a trap.
Good luck in your hunt!

 

[cluckmecoop7]

There will always be predators lusting after your birds, so having that safe coop and run is the most important thing!
Free ranging will mean losses sometimes, and you have to decide where your comfort level is; allow them outside and loose some, or keep them safe inside.
I lost a very nice pullet yesterday to a predator while free ranging my flock, and everyone will be locked in for a couple of weeks while either it moves on, or I figure it out.
Mary

I'm sorry you lost one. I don't really free range, but my girls do get to come out of their run with supervision. I can't stand to loose one. I only have six and they are my darlings!!!!

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Ok, just looking for clarification. Good news is no losses to date, so no real sense of urgency. If you get him, fine. If not......the sun will still come up tomorrow.

For the record, I seem to be up to my eyeballs in predators, but to date, have never lost a bird to one so they are not a big concern to me. Key word is exclusion. The chicken house is tight, so at night, varmints can't get to them to do harm, so over time, I think most have just given up......that plus the chicken yard area is surrounded by a super hot electric fence.......and if and when one does come shopping, they get a good dose of that, so don't come back.

Looks like you also have a tight coop.....the exclusion part....., but varmints still are able to get close enough to harass the birds and probe for an opening.

If are unable to trap him, and he keeps hanging around, consider that as an option. Benefit of the fence is to move the varmints back to arm's length vs. point blank range, and creates an hazard to navigation so to speak.....makes life more exciting for the varmints and less so for the birds.

As for the original question, I always suggest Zombieland Rule #2, the double tap.....to the head.

Thanks for the info.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

FWIW a pellet gun at point blank will do just as well as a .22 for most animals caught is a trap.
Good luck in your hunt!

Thanks!

 

[WthrLady]

Just be careful if you use a .22. Those little bullets will ricochet off the trap and go anywhere.

I have removed a couple small areas with bolt cutters for easy barrel access. Just a thought for others.