Maine

[lazy gardener]

Oh great.

I wondered if they would try to climb over. My fence is 6ft, I think and it is not covered but I was hoping to when the snow is gone (and my husband can work on it). Thanks, hoppy, for the paintball gun idea. I can definitely handle one of those! My husband also just put some pellets in the BB gun but are those the "pellets" you were saying that birds will eat? I worked all day, today, but my boys said there was no sign of the fox. I also alerted my neighbor to my fox problem and he was happy to keep a look out with his gun ready. Both he and his wife hunt birds. I live in an area that is right on the line of the no shoot zone. I heard that across the road is OK, but on this side is not. I was talking with our school police officer about the fox (he also has chickens and lives out in the country). His comment was, "Where I live we'd shoot it!" Suppose he means shoot it, but don't say that I mentioned it? I wonder...

So, you politely ask the fox to cross the road before you shoot it. It sounds like one of those situations where you'd shoot first and ask questions later. (as long as you can safely do it.) Beware. That fox was checking out the picnic site. He will be back, and he will help himself. We once had a coon decimate our flock, and he had the nerve to come back the next morning, in broad daylight to finish off the few hens he missed the first time. Curiosity got the best of him. He wasn't the brightest crayon in he box. My husband missed with the first shot. He dove under the coop, which gave time to reload, then he stuck his head out to see what that loud noise was. End of story.

 

[hoppy]

the meeting for today has been cancelled due to snow, We will meet next month with the same program which is on paint silkies, cochins and call ducks.

regarding the meeting tomorrow for the central maine bird fanciers:


Linda Blackman posted on Central Maine Bird Fanciers's timeline
"If you have any questions whether the meeting will be taking place tomorrow, due to the weather, please call Austin Brann at 622-2263. "

potluck lunch starts at noon, meeting at 1:00

 

[Gallina Sarda]

So, you politely ask the fox to cross the road before you shoot it.  It sounds like one of those situations where you'd shoot first and ask questions later.  (as long as you can safely do it.)  Beware.  That fox was checking out the picnic site.  He will be back, and he will help himself.  We once had a coon decimate our flock, and he had the nerve to come back the next morning, in broad daylight to finish off the few hens he missed the first time.  Curiosity got the best of him.  He wasn't the brightest crayon in he box.  My husband missed with the first shot.  He dove under the coop, which gave time to reload, then he stuck his head out to see what that loud noise was.  End of story.

I'm with LG... If you can safely discharge a firearm ... If thats not possible, maybe try a "have a heart" trap? Take it far, far, faaaaaar away! I think I'm lucky to have dogs. They are pretty good deterrents! Good luck!

 

[Widget]

Not to offend anyone but I for one will not pull out a gun to quickly solve a predator problem. Don't get me wrong I own a gun and know how to use it. However it is an instrument of last resort for me. And one thing I have learned is if you get rid of one fox or coyote or other predator and another one will be right behind it moving into the now vacant territory. In the long run it is better to predator proof a coop.

Since upgrading the defenses around my coop I have not lost a bird to the local fox in over six months. He did come around for a couple weeks testing the set up when I first fixed it but nothing since then. Most predators will only return to the scene of the crime as long as they know they can get an easy meal. Once it no longer becomes easy they will move along. Sort of like thieves. An unlocked door is much more tempting than a locked door. The less time it takes to get into a house of car the better chance of a successful crime.

 

[ashandvine]

Widget

SHARE the earth folks....


On a different note I have a new group of Favs at the House thanks to Keesmom to give an 'instant' family to my two remaining. My son is rather smitten.

Hoppy, thank you for posting about the meeting. Now if only I had thought to look here before sending out a frantic apology of absence to Linda.

 

[hoppy]

don't worry, she wasn't going to make the meeting today anyway.
posted this bird for sale in the 24 hour auction if any one is interested.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/330991/crazy-24hr-auction/8870#post_10497752

Widget

SHARE the earth folks....


On a different note I have a new group of Favs at the House thanks to Keesmom to give an 'instant' family to my two remaining. My son is rather smitten.

Hoppy, thank you for posting about the meeting. Now if only I had thought to look here before sending out a frantic apology of absence to Linda.

 

[lazy gardener]

Not to offend anyone but I for one will not pull out a gun to quickly solve a predator problem. Don't get me wrong I own a gun and know how to use it. However it is an instrument of last resort for me. And one thing I have learned is if you get rid of one fox or coyote or other predator and another one will be right behind it moving into the now vacant territory. In the long run it is better to predator proof a coop.

Since upgrading the defenses around my coop I have not lost a bird to the local fox in over six months. He did come around for a couple weeks testing the set up when I first fixed it but nothing since then. Most predators will only return to the scene of the crime as long as they know they can get an easy meal. Once it no longer becomes easy they will move along. Sort of like thieves. An unlocked door is much more tempting than a locked door. The less time it takes to get into a house of car the better chance of a successful crime.

Yes, I agree with you Widget. Best to have a strong predator proof set up. electric, good fencing, etc. that being said, I will not stand by and allow a predator to snack on my pets. And yes, when you take out one, it opens up space for an other to move into your territory to check out your defense system.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Lost a duck to a fox today, speaking of predators. BF said it was the biggest fox he'd ever seen.

My ducks free range all day, btw.

 

[Dita Von Cluck]

Lost a duck to a fox today, speaking of predators. BF said it was the biggest fox he'd ever seen.

My ducks free range all day, btw.

Awww I'm sorry

 

[Gallina Sarda]

Lost a duck to a fox today, speaking of predators. BF said it was the biggest fox he'd ever seen.

My ducks free range all day, btw.

So sorry SCG. Will you pen them in now or continue to free range?