Red fox crisis ... Please help!

[mosander]

I have dogs that dig so I fenced a small potty area with a three strand electric fence next to the woods. The electric fence not only keeps the dogs in but the predators out. But an odd coincidence occurred. One night the 3 dogs were "raising cane" outside. Flashlight exposed a grisley animal the size of a large cat. On closer inspection it turned out to be a very large possum, who bit the bottom strand of this fence. His eyes were rolling around in circles. Since they can really bite, I wasn't going to help him out. Apparently, he could not turn it lose. He was dead and still locked onto the fence in the am. I had to break his teeth to get him off the fence. This fence has repelled a number of varmits. The chicken electric fence is only 30 inches tall and the red tailed hawk (or the eagles) here would likely get a meal. I am getting some 5 foot chicken wire tomorrow for a second fence.

 

[pugasaurusrex]

Free range= free food for predators.. period... accept the fact that losses are part of chickening.....if you let em loose. we have 13 girls on 3 acres. let em out daily around 2, have had 1 fox show it's face month ago, I promptly fired a 12 guage shotgun at it's face, was about 40 yrds away, likely hit it.. it's not been back.. son heard a fisher cat last night.. barking...that's why I keep a .22 semi rifle and a 20 guage high brass #2 shot (designed for geese) within quick reach... our coop is very well made, 10x20 run enclosed with 1/2 in hardware cloth


so far, we have not lost a bird, they were born in March, eggs coming soon

 

[wamtazlady]

Electric poultry netting does not replace the fencing you already have. It is an additional perimeter to your coop and run as it goes around it all. So you would still need and use the steel netting you already have.

Some people use electric wire around their runs. You'd put wires at 2", 6" and 15" above the ground and add your energizer. It can be very good way to protect your flock.

 

[ccrow]

My experience with foxes is that as long as they can get at the chickens, they will keep coming back. I also let them range during the day, and like you, I enjoy having them around the house doing chicken things; even though I have to fence off any/all garden beds, and the fact that apparently the New Guinea impatiens flowers in my planters are tasty

I keep my chickens(currently 5 hens and a rooster, and four pullets and a cockerel) in the coop at night; in the AM I let them out into their pen and then midmorning I let them out to range. Normally I call them back to the pen in the evening(with the help of tasty sunflower chips) but the younger birds are still being assimilated into the flock and don't want to come near the older birds, so I am having to cross my fingers that no hungry fox happens by... I do have dogs but they have never alerted me to anything going on with predators, and they have been outside some of the times I've lost chickens. And I've had two LGDs but they obviously don't consider the chickens to be their lookout! You would have to raise the pup with the hens, and I'm not sure a pup would be much deterrent; it does take some time!
What I've done when foxes are coming around is to just keep them in the pen for an extended period(weeks) until the foxes give up. This does take awhile! Look at it from the fox's perspective- as long as he's getting good service at his 'restaurant', there's no reason to stay away... if the restaurant closes its doors, he'll have to find a new one.

 

[Binki]

How about a large (and in charge) lightweight pvc tubing or similar frame with chicken wire around it - have your husband help you lift it to a new area of your property every day or whenever you think the hens have exhausted
the area.

I'm making something like it for my roommates chickens she is going to get because of stray cats - like a chicken tractor but the size of some people's backyards haha!!

The fox could still eventually get at the chickens but wouldn't be able to for a bit until he dug or whatever and that few precious seconds or even minutes when the chickens see him and sound the alarm might allow you or your silly dog to scare it off and the chickens will still get lots of exercise and food but will be safer!

Also, I may have a tip for dog training. When i lived elsewhere a few years ago, I would see a stray cat in the backyard I would make a sharp "SSSSSS" sound to let them know get out or I'll chase you out and I would stand and act tense like a dog on guard (you know how they have their chests out, frozen eye contact and tails up?).

You can make whatever sound you like but the dogs seem to respond to more exciting sound than commands like "go get it" so could use a hiss or something haha.

Anyways after a few times of that sound, my dog (who likes kitties and wouldn't touch them even if he did chase them out of the yard) would LEAP UP and stand on guard and look where I'm looking with his tail quivering, ready to go if I let him which I don't because I do the sound for raccoons and stuff too lol but it could be easily transferred into stimulating them into hunt mode! And he's "just" a big old adopted mutt named Leroy who's half boxer and half shar pei - haha!

To this day, even if I haven't made the sound in months if I make it he leaps up and looks and stays statue still unless I release him, if you made that sound every time your chickens made distress sounds and went over there all tough lol like you expect to find a predator, your dog might love that and link chicken distress calls to RUNNING to them for the hunt!

I hope everything works out for you!

 

[flurry37 2001]

hi all , there all ways to trap and release , foxs have den most of the time fine it block it up and thay will find another one,check your local laws if all fails and go that with this as a last resort.i have a yard dog his job is to watch the yard because he free range also he is in my gallery. thay will not be no easy way with a fox. thank`s mike.