Hungry fox after my ducks! :o(

[casslarrabee225]

Last Thursday I lost one of my ducks, Ming-Ming. I forgot to close them in the coop last night and something came and snatched it with no sign as to where she went or what happened to her. Last night I hear a small thud noise. I go look out the window and there was a fox circling the coop and pacing the fence. Jumping at every flinch my ducks made. They've been locked inside their coop since we lost Ming-Ming and haven't free-ranged at all. (Nor will they for a long, LONG time). I have no idea what to do. Some say shoot him, some say get a Havahart trap. I don't know! This is my first time with ducks and my first time dealing with a predator.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Well let me just say, it will not stop until it has gotten every last one. Now the fact that they r stopped up and assuming it can dig under the pen u are safe for time being. But don't ever think of turning them loose. Personally I would kill it. I can't tell u what to do however. Hope that helps.

 

[casslarrabee225]

The ducks are in, the bait is set, the gun is ready and the window is propped with a towel in front of it so we don't scare him off opening it. Now it's just the waiting game. Have I mentioned I have NEVER done this before....

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

Hmmm sounds like u have all basis covered. I think u have been watching those detective shows. Good luck, ill keep checking on the progress.

 

[casslarrabee225]

I now know how sneaky and sly a fox can really be. And QUICK! I saw him last night harassing my ducks in their coop and he jumped at EVERY little flinch they made. ( Until I went out and locked them in the inside coop. )

 

[sourland]

Quote:
Umm, a gun fired from inside a house can make quite a bit of noise even causing temporary deafness.
Do not ask me how I know.

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
What is your dog up to? My dog is thrilled to escort Mr. Fox off property. He gets all riled up when chickens make a commotion and begins looking to chase fox. Otherwise shoot fox if practical. I have at least two foxes working my property. One from southwest seems to hunt only rodents while sucker from east (bad witch) is constantly probing and occasionally gets a free-range chicken. It is like a game between dog and that fox and so long as dog wins majority of time the arrangement will be allowed to persist. Neighbor that looses many more birds to same fox is efforting for a different outcome but he has more tme to sit and wait with rifle.

 

[casslarrabee225]

Quote:
Umm, a gun fired from inside a house can make quite a bit of noise even causing temporary deafness.
Do not ask me how I know.

I don't know how else we will be able to get him....

 

[casslarrabee225]

Well, Mr. Fox is still around somewhere.

I guess it's a good thing too that he didn't come last night. But I still have to worry about him coming back some other time. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled and bait a few more nights and see if I can finally get him...

 

[centrarchid]

Quote:
What is your dog up to? It has potential for dealing very effectively with fox assuming it is at least as big.