how do you combat foxes

[aart]

this isnt my image but this is basically what I put outside of my run. The foxes literally tried to DIG underneath the wire.. why cant they realize they wont fit

How far out does the anti-dig apron go?
Pics of where they are digging might help.

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[Fairview01]

About the only way to get them without investing your entire life waiting for them. Generally they wont enter a box trap like a bobcat will.

 

[cmom]

This fox killed several birds after digging under a gate to a pen, I put leg traps out. I didn't have the live trap at that time then, I put concrete under all of the gates. I have seen more foxes since and lost a very special hen to another fox that I caught in a live trap and since that fox I have seen a couple of more fox.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

i think trapping is the way too go. am a trapper but am going to be honest, i have no idea how to catch a fox. i think 1 3/4 coil springs are the way to go (not sure though)
then a quick bullet to the head.
all i do know is there easier to catch then a wolf lol.

 

[archeryrob]

Leghold Trapping is good but you need to read on boiling traps or you might not have much success. I have posted before about this by By-catch can be wild. You need noose pole to release what you don't wish to kill. You could catch a neighbors cat just being curious or a Bobcat which will seem like the Tasmanian Devil trying to be released.

If they are succeeding they will come back and a late night with 00 buck would be my choice. I can pass on the critters that don't need killing.

 

[aart]

I can pass on the critters that don't need killing.

Which would those be...other than household pets?

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

My neighbor said that they killed one of the kits (babies) and the whole family left... If it were that easy I think everyone would have mentioned it.

 

[poisondartfrog]

I lost chicks to foxes when I had my first flock. At that time I had an old dog that couldn't hear and could barely see. Great dog and my best friend, but not much help.

A few weeks ago I was seeing a fox just at dawn every day when I went out to start feeding my pals. I have a Border Collie that keeps an eye on the chickens and rounds them back up if one gets out on its own, and a Boxer/Lab mix that I keep in a dog run part of the time because despite being neutered he is a roamer. When Bruno alerts to danger, I let Scrappy out to help.
I let Scrap out a few weeks ago when I heard the cry of a fox in my woods. He came back exhausted, but I have not seen or heard a fox since. Fingers crossed.

 

[Oncoming Storm]

haha i have a gun near the coop thankfully, i'd think they would take the hint since one of their buddies went "missing" but they're resilient. I used to adore foxes.. but after losing around 40 chickens over the course of 4 years I've lost all my sympathy for them.. not trying to be harsh but i absolutely hate foxes with a burning anger

I’m the same way about raccoons after what they did to my flock. My suggestion would be since there are several coming to your coop the den is possibly close by. Especially if you live in or close to the woods. I’d say go on a little hike and fill in any den holes you find. After three of my birds went missing next to my house, I walked around a bit and found a den hole and proceeded to stuff it full of bricks and cinder blocks yelling “try to eat my birds now!” Another thing I would try is find a big dog (whether it’s yours or a neighbors) and let them mark aaaalllll over your coop. Might help deter some of that none sense. I know this isn’t relatively convenient for some people, but if there’s one available, I’d try that. I have two livestock guardians down at my barn and I just let them go crazy every once and awhile just to make sure the scent is there. I’m so sorry about your flock, to the depths to those foxes!

 

[archeryrob]

Which would those be...other than household pets?

Possums normally. They are are garbage crew and tick eaters. Foxes, coons and coyotes, if ever seen, would be my normal targets. Hawks would be on the list, but the legality and fines prevents them being targets.