Predator problem

[Rory the Chicken]

Hi, I have many chickens and ducks and I am in the UK. I have never had any problems with predators until now. This morning at 4:30, the chickens and ducks were making a racket. Later in the mooring I went out and noticed a grey scat situated on my compost pile. I was wondering if it was a fox. We have cats in the area so it could have been them. The scat was a bit like one of a dogs but it was rather damp, grey/black in colour and was in little circle shapes with a pointy end. There were small hairs in the scat (was not obvious.) any ideas of what animal this is would be very much appreciated.

 

[millipede]

The color and the hair would have me thinking of coyotes here in the US but, I'm not familiar with fox poop... But, I did a quick search and found this page that has some pictures and it could be fox.
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/how-identify/identify-poo

 

[Wormhunter]

Poor you, we are also in the uk and last week we looked out the window into the field and saw the largest’dog’ fox heading our way,
In the uk I don’t think shooting foxes is aloud so hubby locked the girls back in their pen and stood guard
We hope we have done everything to protect them but I’m pretty nervous as I thought foxes only came around dusk to dawn!

 

[perkolator]

We have foxes in my area, the definitely come around any time of day - especially if they know it's where a meal is located

 

[millipede]

In the uk I don’t think shooting foxes is aloud so hubby locked the girls back in their pen and stood guard

Predators are a tricky business. Short term, killing something seems like a good idea but if you live anywhere near wildlife, it would be a never ending war. Prevention is the only method that works... and when it doesn't, it just needs to be adjusted. We don't currently let any birds out... ours are all small. Once they're bigger, we probably still wont let them out unless we're out there with them.
Some people keep farm dogs to prevent predator attacks. There are several breeds that are good at watching livestock. I'm not a dog person(don't get me started on dog poop in the yard, HA) but if I was, I'd definitely have something out there to help.
Again... good luck.

By the way... how good are foxes at catching free ranging birds? I've only ever seen/heard stories(from books and tv) of foxes getting into hen houses and things like that. I'm assuming they would be fairly good hunters out in the open as well???

 

[Wormhunter]

We have foxes in my area, the definitely come around any time of day - especially if they know it's where a meal is located

Oh no, where do you live?

 

[TwistedSteel]

Dig a hole in advance somewhere it won`t be noticed or make a burn pile. Soon as you shoot the varmint bury or burn it and don`t tell anyone. No evidence no crime.

 

[Wormhunter]

Predators are a tricky business. Short term, killing something seems like a good idea but if you live anywhere near wildlife, it would be a never ending war. Prevention is the only method that works... and when it doesn't, it just needs to be adjusted. We don't currently let any birds out... ours are all small. Once they're bigger, we probably still wont let them out unless we're out there with them.
Some people keep farm dogs to prevent predator attacks. There are several breeds that are good at watching livestock. I'm not a dog person(don't get me started on dog poop in the yard, HA) but if I was, I'd definitely have something out there to help.
Again... good luck.

By the way... how good are foxes at catching free ranging birds? I've only ever seen/heard stories(from books and tv) of foxes getting into hen houses and things like that. I'm assuming they would be fairly good hunters out in the open as well???

Not sure, our girls aren’t clipped and twice I’ve had to tempt them off the pen roof, one sat up there was a most surprised expression as if to say’What happened’ not sure if they would fly up if a fox got in the garden
We do put them in the pen if we’re away from the house and we’re in and out the garden all the time but I’m not sure how bold foxes are, still shocked they hunt in the day!

 

[Wormhunter]

Dig a hole in advance somewhere it won`t be noticed or make a burn pile. Soon as you shoot the varmint bury or burn it and don`t tell anyone. No evidence no crime.

Will need to acquire a shot gun and licence
( uk laws)

 

[Folly's place]

Foxes, dogs, and coyotes have no problem catching chickens during the day! Birds who fly up into trees will be safer, but any that crouch when frightened are easy.
I lost ten nice laying hens one afternoon, years ago, watched by a neighboring workman. That fox seemed to select the actively laying hens in the flock, and returned, and was shot by a nice neighbor, when we couldn't get a clean shot at him. He didn't go into our live trap, sadly.
Mary