Need advice!

[Firsttimechicksxxx]

Hi everyone, I have had a break from keeping chickens for about a year now, unfortunately my last batch of chickens became fox food just under a year ago and since then I have not been keeping chickens because I am too afraid of the fox getting them.

I had my chickens in one chicken house and the fox bit the door and managed to wedge open the nesting box, climb in and grab them, the house was very sturdy and secure (so i thought) but the fox clearly brought his electric drill with him!

then on the same night I had 15 chicks in a guinea pig hutch thing just for the night, with quite a lot of bricks on top and thre fox managed to completely tip it over and eat my poor chickies.

I really want to get back into keeping birds which brings me to my question,

are there any egg laying birds that are easiest to keep when foxes are around, for example some that don't need much space and that have suitable coops that can be made indestructable? Im thinking of moving on from chickens because i only like to have my chicks free range and don't like the idea of them being cooped up all the time! (the fox has come in the day time a few years ago aswell)

thank you all!

 

[RoyalChick]

Hi everyone, I have had a break from keeping chickens for about a year now, unfortunately my last batch of chickens became fox food just under a year ago and since then I have not been keeping chickens because I am too afraid of the fox getting them.

I had my chickens in one chicken house and the fox bit the door and managed to wedge open the nesting box, climb in and grab them, the house was very sturdy and secure (so i thought) but the fox clearly brought his electric drill with him!

then on the same night I had 15 chicks in a guinea pig hutch thing just for the night, with quite a lot of bricks on top and thre fox managed to completely tip it over and eat my poor chickies.

I really want to get back into keeping birds which brings me to my question,

are there any egg laying birds that are easiest to keep when foxes are around, for example some that don't need much space and that have suitable coops that can be made indestructable? Im thinking of moving on from chickens because i only like to have my chicks free range and don't like the idea of them being cooped up all the time! (the fox has come in the day time a few years ago aswell)

thank you all!

Sorry you lost them. I have many foxes and I use an electric fence.
I lost my cockerel to a fox late last year because I failed to spot that the fence got damaged in a storm. I’m now more diligent in checking the fence.
Good luck with your next flock.

 

[nuthatched]

Coop security would be my first plan, we can help you with that if you want to post pictures.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I have many foxes and I use an electric fence.

Seconding this. Foxes are one of several predators that will be persistent for a meal. You can sometimes get a head-start by baiting the hotline at nose level. The fox will get a zinger with his first fence encounter, then hopefully move on.

I'm sorry you've lost so many this way. We have daytime foxes as well, and it can be quite frustrating.

 

[RoyalChick]

Seconding this. Foxes are one of several predators that will be persistent for a meal. You can sometimes get a head-start by baiting the hotline at nose level. The fox will get a zinger with his first fence encounter, then hopefully move on.

I'm sorry you've lost so many this way. We have daytime foxes as well, and it can be quite frustrating.

Yes this ^^
I wipe bacon grease on aluminum foil and hang it from the live wire. Set up a camera and make sure I have had a couple of zaps before removing it.
I find the foxes teach each other so I I ly need to bait it that way every couple of years.
Obviously turn the fence off while tiu are hanging the foil!