Probable Red Fox Den Very Close to My Barn

[hhill1970]

Oh, and 1 more thing...
To make capture easier, and give fox less suspicion of trap, put a trail of chicken into the trap main bonus after trip plate, with a trail of bait leading to the outside of the trap and surrounding area. These are smaller amounts of bait, with a large amount after trip plate

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have no idea if this will work, but I've heard that human urine around the coop/run area helps keep predators away.

I do that daily. It doesn't work for coons.

Human scent means garbage cans are nearby to them. I believe it works with some predators, like Fox or Coyote.
Also a good idea not to toss table scraps (especially meat, fish or chicken) in or near chicken pens. GC

 

[roosterhavoc]

Human urine just makes your yard smell like piss. This makes zero sense. They can smell you and just about everything you came into contact with after walking around out there. Urinating on the ground around your coops is a feel good measure that ends up with dead grass.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I’ve said this before but whatever I’ll say it again. The place I parked my Jeep when checking beaver traps was off a two track. I would take a leak on the ground before checking traps. The next morning checking again I could see in the snow where the coyotes were drawn to my urine smell and then urinated in the same spot. This happened a few times in the same spot. Using urine of any kind as a deterrent is a total gimmick. Stop wasting your money.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Using urine of any kind as a deterrent is a total gimmick. Stop wasting your money.

I've had chickens for 3 years and haven't seen or caught a Fox or Coyote on my 3 game cams around my coops.
Only Possums, Coons, and Deer, and some rodents to small to identify.
The urine I use is as cheap as a Busch beer, that I enjoy. I only P in the same 3 spots 20 to 30 feet from coops. GC

 

[roosterhavoc]

I've had chickens for 3 years and haven't seen or caught a Fox or Coyote on my 3 game cams around my coops.
Only Possums, Coons, and Deer, and some rodents to small to identify.
The urine I use is as cheap as a Busch beer, that I enjoy. I only P in the same 3 spots 20 to 30 feet from coops. GC

Clearly the $$ angle was buying animal urines. If you’re spending money on human urine protecting chickens is the least of your problems. The fact that you haven’t seen a fox or coyote on any of your 3 cams doesn’t mean they are afraid of the smell of your urine. Are your chickens locked up at night? Do you see them anywhere else on your property? I didn’t lose a chicken to anything until about 3.5 yrs in and didn’t have any issues with fox for the first 6yrs. By all means keeping peeing in your yard. It’s free, just not for me.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Advice is kinda pointless and irrelevant if you keep your chickens locked up 24/7. It’s not difficult to keep these birds alive.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Are your chickens locked up at night?

Yes I open the coops at 5 am daily and lockup 15 to 20 minutes after sunset. .

Do you see them anywhere else on your property?

No I haven't seen a Fox or Coyote on my 6 acres. But I've seen both in my neighborhood while driving. GC

 

[GC-Raptor]

Advice is kinda pointless and irrelevant if you keep your chickens locked up 24/7. It’s not difficult to keep these birds alive.

I do free range an hour before sunset daily. GC

 

[GC-Raptor]

The coop on the left is inside a uncovered 5 foot fence. GC