red blinking lights FOX ISSUES

[mlktrkdvr]

i am wondering if anyone has tried those red blinking lihts that are supposed to mimic larger preditors. I think they are called night guard? They are advertised in poultry magazines and such. I have a fox problem. We have killed one this spring but have at least 2 more that are here EVERY NIGHT. I hear them calling eachother. We have taken as many precautions as we can with 8 foot chain link fences around the coops and locking everybody up every night but these foxes are tricky and determined. We had a storm roll through Monday night at dusk and scramble all the birds so some of them forgot to go to bed. We were out till long after dark trying to round everybody up but still found that the fox had gotten pullets. We lost an entire coop full last summer when the fox climbed the fence and got into the coop yard through a hole in the fence on the top. I have seen this guy as close as the patio right outside my door at 3 am, but could not get to the gun fast enough and did not really want to shoot my van. I have also seen him as late as 11 am walking right by the house. I was getting up at 5 am and going out waiting for it with the .22 but have had no luck. It is getting frustrating and I need some new ideas.

 

[aprophet]

a number 1 1/2 coil spring trap and some chicken livers down a dirt hole set would fix it my traps protect my flock 24/7 no feed bills no vet bills they don,t care if the power goes off

 

[yinepu]

I ordered 4 of the nite guard lights the other day.. gonna get a few more too. A neighbor of ours swears by them for keeping coyotes away (he has goats).
I figured with the lights.. our LGD.. secure coops and cages (we raise rabbits too) ..live traps and a few guns we should be able to keep the predators at bay.... hopefully.
Just lost one of my Jersey Giants to a stray dog a few hours ago.. so now there's a loaded gun at the front door in case he comes back.
I used to have the opinion of live and let live.. that i didn't mind too much if i lost a bird or some eggs here or there cause it's just one of the risks of living out here in the country.. but this year I've changed my mind. Needless to say I'm fed up with the predators. I could deal with a missing bird every now and then.. but when it got to be 13 in two nights.. well.. that's just pushed my limits.

 

[mlktrkdvr]

Yinepu- please let me kow if you are happy with them. It is more money than I want to spend if it doesn't work and I have seen conflicting reports when I look it up. As of right now I had the nephews set 2 foot traps where I believe their den is. He baited them with peanut butter (just what I had in a hurry as he said something sticky). This fox has gotten 5 goslings that live with their two mothers and a few pullets and this is only what I know of for sure. DH said that he saw some feathers in the ditch while he was mowing so there are probably more.
I am also considering sacrificing a young rooster (that was sent as a pullet, go figure) and injecting it full of antifreeze and delivering it to the den area or locking up my two barn cats tonight and leaving it right outside the coop. Thoughts about that??

 

[cdnley]

I tried some of those. I had them on the coop only 2 nights and the fox came and it and killed one of my duck babies and hurt another one. For me they didn't work. We are in a neighorhood and these foxes are used to people and flashing lights so it was not a deterrent. Perhaps on a farm or something where the foxes are not used to people/houses etc.

 

[aprophet]

a lot of guys who hunt fox , bobcat and yotes use red lights so it don't spook the critter I use a small flashing red light to attract bobcats to my traps as well as christmas tinsel

 

[yinepu]

From what i have read, they need to be properly placed depending on the predator you're trying to chase off.. and they don't seem to work as well in cities. I live out in cow country.. so I don't think it's going to be an issue of the critters being used to flashing lights.
I know deer get used to them fast.. but in my experience that's just how deer are. Ours don't even flinch when the dogs go nuts barking at them because they are so used to them. I've tried everything under the sun to keep deer out of the gardens and our mini orchard. everything works for about a week.. then the deer get nosy and have to come check things out.
I've heard pretty good reports on the lights working against coyotes, fox and raccoons.. which are three of our biggest problems. The way I look at it.. it can't hurt; and I know of a few locals who swear by them.

 

[tomingreeneco]

Do not waste your money, they are worthless. Had eight of them around my coops. Came home later then expected one night and a coon walked right past them, into the coop and killed two chickens. Now I make sue someone is home for lockup before it gets dark.

 

[pinkyglory123]

I also had the live and let live approach until I came upoun five dead chickens and the fox came towards me after a sixth and was within about twenty feet of me before I could scare him off. Dispatched him as he was way too comfortable around us. No problems since then. Did catch a possum the other night. pretty much keep live trap baited all the time. Just bought an automatic door opener as the nine pm shut in has gotten old. will report on how that works. Seemed money well spent since I don't live on the farm and the chickens keep extending their bedtime. Am going to try to transition two month old goslings to sleeping outside behind electrified net fencing-anyone with experience with that stuff yea or nay?

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

Quote:
My fence didn't protect our Buff pomeranian geese. Great Horned Owl came on night and killed them.