Just saw a fox lurking... what do I do??

[rehsanipoor]

It's dusk and I heard some frantic clucking. Thank goodness I got there in time but saw a fox through the fence. It looked at me and then left. The chickens were in an open run and I quickly shooed them into a closed run and forced them all into the coop (which is the most secure space).

What do I do now? I will certainly not be allowing them in the open run or to free range without being closely watched. Our closed run is about as secure as I can get it (ie. loads of hardware cloth). Is there anything else I can do to deter this fox that has now set eyes on my sweet girls??? How do they typically gain access?

I live in the middle of a city so shooting is not a possibility. Is there poison I can leave out? My husband says this is futile as there are tons of foxes around.

I'm freaked out.... any advice from the veteran chicken raiser/fox preventers???

 

[besorto]

I'd recommend contacting your local animal control. Foxes are a threat to animals like cats and small dogs, so they may lend you a trap to catch the fox.

 

[besorto]

That, or get a guard dog. My pit bull adores the chickens and has stopped more than a few fox/raccoon attacks from happening.

 

[aart]

What do I do now? I will certainly not be allowing them in the open run or to free range without being closely watched. Our closed run is about as secure as I can get it (ie. loads of hardware cloth). Is there anything else I can do to deter this fox that has now set eyes on my sweet girls??? How do they typically gain access?

Keep them confined for the next week, it will move on if there's no dinner to be had. That's the best deterrent.
Reporting to animal control might give you some clues if there's anything else to do.
Poison, especially, or trapping is not a great idea...do not trap unless you plan to kill.

 

[centrarchid]

Your fox most likely has an established series of routes is patrols within it home range of a few square miles. Some of the routes are taken daily in a fairly consistent basis with respect to timing. The fox has a handle on where a given type of eats is likely to be acquired and is always looking for another honey hole to replace others that become exhausted. The fox, thus far, is not coming by specifically because you have chickens. It is now aware you have some and if sufficiently motivated, it will try to get a chicken. It will balance effort against cost and risk. You job can include making the cost part too high where fox has work more than it wants for the prey item. You can also make the perceived risk higher by letting fox know you are present or employ a dog as indicated by another poster. I do both. Fencing and hotwire are my ways of increasing effort during the day. Dogs increase the risk at night.

Dogs are generally an expensive approach that take time to setup so I recommend you continue with your containing the chickens. You could make so the fox has a tougher time probing the run perimeter using hotwire.

 

[RoosterML]

Buy firecrackers, first it serves as a deterrent when he returns and if you happen to see it. Next light a firecracker or two from time to time, this acts as a training tool for your neighbors. Get yourself a nice little .22 and invite the fox over for some chicken with a side of lead. Also they have some nice air rifles (pellet guns) available now a days that will also do the trick (use the lead pellets not the alloy ones) if shot placed correctly if not he'll be licking his wound for awhile anyways. The lighting off of a firecracker or two from time to time will make your neighbors say " that darn chicken lady is at it again". See plenty of options and yes i prefer to shot on site if possible.

 

[Geena]

Please don't put out poison. First of all that's a miserable death for an animal, and also if the fox can get to it so can any other animal that happens along, including a neighbor's pet.

 

[sourland]

Electric fencing is a very effective deterrent to mammalian predators.

 

[bobbi-j]

It's dusk and I heard some frantic clucking. Thank goodness I got there in time but saw a fox through the fence. It looked at me and then left. The chickens were in an open run and I quickly shooed them into a closed run and forced them all into the coop (which is the most secure space).

What do I do now? I will certainly not be allowing them in the open run or to free range without being closely watched. Our closed run is about as secure as I can get it (ie. loads of hardware cloth). Is there anything else I can do to deter this fox that has now set eyes on my sweet girls??? How do they typically gain access?

I live in the middle of a city so shooting is not a possibility. Is there poison I can leave out? My husband says this is futile as there are tons of foxes around.

I'm freaked out.... any advice from the veteran chicken raiser/fox preventers???

I would not put out poison. Too much chance of killing and unintended target. If it's legal where you live, (and I don't know why it wouldn't be), I would suggest electric fence around your coop and run. As Sourland said, it's a very effective deterrent.

Buy firecrackers, first it serves as a deterrent when he returns and if you happen to see it. Next light a firecracker or two from time to time, this acts as a training tool for your neighbors. Get yourself a nice little .22 and invite the fox over for some chicken with a side of lead. Also they have some nice air rifles (pellet guns) available now a days that will also do the trick (use the lead pellets not the alloy ones) if shot placed correctly if not he'll be licking his wound for awhile anyways. The lighting off of a firecracker or two from time to time will make your neighbors say " that darn chicken lady is at it again". See plenty of options and yes i prefer to shot on site if possible.

OP lives in town. Firecrackers, a .22 and air rifles may not be a legal option.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Electric fencingfencing, if allowed where you live, is a good idea.

Fox tend to go over a fence. If over isn't working they are great diggers.

Do you have an apron on your run?