My first Fox attack that ended in a kill

[Mygirls20]

I feel for you, we only have 7 chickens right now, but they already feel like part of the family. After we get our 3 small goats, we are going to get a Jennie, we have been told they are great for keeping predators away from your critters. I read not to get one before we get the goats because they will think of the goats as invadtor, excuse my spelling.

Ya it sucked my girls cried for like 20 mins. Ya my girls want goats and I want to do milk but I dont think that I can get my husband to drink it lol

 

[Mygirls20]

It is hard to say from the photo but the trap looks a little small for trapping foxes. He can likely just reach over the trigger plate, pick up the bait, and when or if the trap is sprung the outside door just hits Renard on the rump. With the door still unlocked by the rectangle wire lock it is a simple thing then for the fox to back out of the trap. Finally the door closes and locks but only after the fox is safely out of danger.

The picture of the fox in a similar trap on this forum was a gray fox. This is a much smaller and more cat like fox than the wily red fox who is K9 like.

This fox trap is a little bigger. We have the big red foxes and the small ones out here. My friend has caught both with these. And the fox I am going after is a small one. I think I just needed to wire the bait. My bad

 

[Mygirls20]

Yeah, this fox doesn't seem to respect or fear anything. Man, I WISH the fox I have around here would come up to my porch and just look at me. They would not live to do that a second time. Just last night I hear our resident foxes out in the woods calling to each other. Unmistakable call they have.
Jack

Jack, that's a great tip! Seems foxy (there's a nice gun name for ya!) isn't afraid of the trap. That's good! Some way to anchor bait is great idea! Mwah, ha, ha, ha! Can't wait to hear how this turns out for you, Mygirls!
My foxes don't show up until about May.

Ya I am hoping after last night he wont fear the trap at all. He is such a jerk!!! He really isnt scared of anything, I wired two pieces of chicken to the top in the very back. crossing my fingers for tonight And Shellz I am totally naming my gun Foxy lol its perfect

I also have some more bad news. I now have 3 coyotes that are hanging out right outside my porch (Saw them earlier today). I know they are way to big to get into the trap. So I guess I am just going to have to shoot them. Does anyone have any good tips to bring them in? Should I lay out food a certain time of day for them after the fox is gone so they get use to it then shoot them. Or should I just leave them be?

 

[Mygirls20]

I know how frustrating that is. I wonder about these types of traps. I watched my 25 pound Spitz go into my trap, eat the bait and then back out with out the trap going off.

Ya the fox has been in there more then twice the first time it didnt go off. Then the next two times it went off after he got out. My friend made it sound so easy he catches the foxes that go after his chickens all the time. Maybe I am just not doing it right or this fox is the devil himself!!

 

[Shellz]

Don't feel bad about making mistakes. It's sometimes the best way to learn! DON'T give up! I have yet to nail anything larger than a coon. I have the resources, i just need to put in the time!
Do some research & learn their habits. That's half the battle!

 

[Steemroo]

Well I wa wrong - fox may not be trap shy, just very fast.. Interesting. You may not need to drill a hole in plate if you can wire meat on by just wrapping wire - you just need to slow fox down a bit, it seems. Maybe you will get him tonight.

The easiest chickens to sell are pullets- young hens - about to hit laying age. If your roo is from a good laying breed, his offspring, even if mutts, should lay fine. Issues for you are - cold hardiness (Leghorns and otther single comb birds can get frost bite), egg color and size, feed to egg ratio, do they forage, and so on. Maybe get a few females to match your roo, so you can offer some pure breeds. What is popular in your area?

Also feed cost to get a chick to 2 to 4 months can be high. If you can only sell a hen for 10 bucks you might be losing money - often you can get more. You can and should add grass weeds and so on to their diet, as I bet you know already. Drops cost to feed, better for them.

Good to know raw goat milk tastes good. We make cheese (from bought milk sadly), and it's not hard - yogurt is even easier.. Your husband might eat goat milk cheese. Google how - you can buy all you need on line - start with soft cheese (easy) and work up to hard ones. Chickens love yogurt. Just know goats need to be milked daily.. You need backup for vacations - someone who can milk for you.

 

[Mygirls20]

Just watch my husband gets into town today and I bet you I will trap that fox tonight. I have been battling with this thing all week and it will behave tonight just cause he is home thats how everything always goes lol When I do trap him I am posting a pic I think I might even go to get him stuffed and keep him around just cause I have put so much time into this

 

[Shellz]

Coyotes may just take care of your fox problem. The foxes either get killed, or they may find new territory. Or fox will manage to stay under the radar! Yotes are even harder to hunt, unless you catch them in the act of stalking your birds! If you DO get that fox, I hope you DO get that sucker mounted! I would! We'll be renovating the basement next year & I want a special hunting gear & trophy room in it! Hmmm...isn't that called a man cave? Lol!

 

[Mygirls20]

Well I wa wrong - fox may not be trap shy, just very fast.. Interesting. You may not need to drill a hole in plate if you can wire meat on by just wrapping wire - you just need to slow fox down a bit, it seems. Maybe you will get him tonight.

The easiest chickens to sell are pullets- young hens - about to hit laying age. If your roo is from a good laying breed, his offspring, even if mutts, should lay fine. Issues for you are - cold hardiness (Leghorns and otther single comb birds can get frost bite), egg color and size, feed to egg ratio, do they forage, and so on. Maybe get a few females to match your roo, so you can offer some pure breeds. What is popular in your area?

Also feed cost to get a chick to 2 to 4 months can be high. If you can only sell a hen for 10 bucks you might be losing money - often you can get more. You can and should add grass weeds and so on to their diet, as I bet you know already. Drops cost to feed, better for them.

Good to know raw goat milk tastes good. We make cheese (from bought milk sadly), and it's not hard - yogurt is even easier.. Your husband might eat goat milk cheese. Google how - you can buy all you need on line - start with soft cheese (easy) and work up to hard ones. Chickens love yogurt. Just know goats need to be milked daily.. You need backup for vacations - someone who can milk for you.

It seems like the Rhode Island Reds are popular out here I had one of those plus everyone loves the Plymouth Rocks I have two. When I do see hens for sell that are close to laying people are selling them for 20-25 bucks a piece. Its crazy!!! I would love to make cheese It looks and sounds like so much fun. Now I am going to be in trouble cause I really want a goat. My hubby is more of a city guy the only animals he likes are dogs lol But how could he say no to a cute little baby goat

he will fall in love hopefully

 

[Mygirls20]

Coyotes may just take care of your fox problem. The foxes either get killed, or they may find new territory. Or fox will manage to stay under the radar! Yotes are even harder to hunt, unless you catch them in the act of stalking your birds! If you DO get that fox, I hope you DO get that sucker mounted! I would! We'll be renovating the basement next year & I want a special hunting gear & trophy room in it! Hmmm...isn't that called a man cave? Lol!

Ya you will also need a big screen tv and a huge comfy couch lol maybe even a hunting wii game