How does a rabid Fox act??

[lovesfarms]

Are neighborhood had rabid foxes earlier this summer and now there's a skinny one around again-raiding the trash can across the street and I think I'm going to be uncomfortable even with my ladies locked up until some one gets him! He was seen several times across the street and I think he visited my chickens this morning. They usually pop right out when given the chance to free range and today they cowered in the corner. They acted like there was a hawk around but everything was clear. When I coaxed then out, they flew into the bushes and wouldn't come out to eat except when I got the big tub out and filled it with grass, they jumped in there to eat. I'm at work today but I think when I get home I will fortify their pen with hundreds of zip ties! This is what their tractor is like: it can be pushed like a wheel barrow but is really heavy, open on the bottom. I covered the top with a tarp and plywood sheet. It's rubber coated chicken wire that is fastened with hundreds of staples. The wood is heavy and strong but I wish I had fastened the wire with extra zip ties. When I saw the Fox the other day, after it was finished with the trash it just walked around the neighbors yard as if it was their pet dog. It didn't act disoriented. What does rabid Fox look like?

 

[sourland]

A rabid fox generally acts aggressive. Sounds as if this may just be a hungry/mangy fox. Regardless of the condition, fortifying your pen makes good sense.

 

[Folly's place]

Individuals who have rabies can act normal, be lame, or act strange in some way. Lack of fear can be one way, or aggression, acting disoriented, whatever. This fox should be trapped and tested; will your Animal Control come out with live traps for your yard? Won't hurt to call them Monday.
Here, we have live traps, and I'd be trying to trap and shoot the poor guy, and have him tested for rabies.
If you do shoot, NOT in the head, which is necessary for rabies testing. Wear gloves, don't handle any part of such critters bare handed.
Make sure your pets are up to date on their vaccines!
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

It's not possible to diagnose a live animal!
Mary

 

[lovesfarms]

We aren't allowed to shoot anything around here, to close to town. The strange way the chickens acted made me walk around with a stick and they aren't scared of dogs, so many people take their dogs on walks past here. They hide like that from Hawks but as soon as the Hawks are gone they are running again. This morning I was cleaning up their pen, feeding them, trying to coax then out of hiding for an hour and finally left them go back in their pen. It was a strange eery feeling so I carried the stick with me. We've seen that Fox several times now, he's very skinny.

 

[lovesfarms]

Earlier this summer one was running after dogs and he got killed by a car. I have to look for a phone number to report it. I don't come home till after dark and I don't want to meet up with it after dark. I'm just hoping the chickens are alright when I go home

 

[DogAndCat36]

Are neighborhood had rabid foxes earlier this summer and now there's a skinny one around again-raiding the trash can across the street and I think I'm going to be uncomfortable even with my ladies locked up until some one gets him! He was seen several times across the street and I think he visited my chickens this morning. They usually pop right out when given the chance to free range and today they cowered in the corner. They acted like there was a hawk around but everything was clear. When I coaxed then out, they flew into the bushes and wouldn't come out to eat except when I got the big tub out and filled it with grass, they jumped in there to eat. I'm at work today but I think when I get home I will fortify their pen with hundreds of zip ties! This is what their tractor is like: it can be pushed like a wheel barrow but is really heavy, open on the bottom. I covered the top with a tarp and plywood sheet. It's rubber coated chicken wire that is fastened with hundreds of staples. The wood is heavy and strong but I wish I had fastened the wire with extra zip ties. When I saw the Fox the other day, after it was finished with the trash it just walked around the neighbors yard as if it was their pet dog. It didn't act disoriented. What does rabid Fox look like?

I can't tell if it is rabid, but rabid animals are most of the time hydrophobic. They also are usually really skinny.
I think you can tell if it is rabid by observing its reaction with water.
You can report the rabid fox to animal control so they can humanly put it down or contact a local health department to test the fox for rabies.

 

[Folly's place]

Again, a rabid animal MIGHT act abnormal, or it might not.
Mary

 

[nuthatched]

Can't comment on the fox but you might want to move your tractor onto a concrete slab and weigh it down or put fencing under it and stake it down with heavy duty stakes. Are you able to lock them upstairs in the roost at night? Most tractors have doors?

 

[Rldad1]

Animal control or wildlife should jump on this like white on rice. This is a possible safety issue for your entire area especially since Rabies was found earlier. Any wild animal that is not skittish around people is suspect. If you can't get either of them, contact your local law enforcement - sheriff or police. I presume you are aware that a fox or dog can get through chicken wire so you might think Hardware cloth when you beef up your security.