Red fox spotted!

[shannon84]

Ive seen a red fox across the road last month, and he was seen a few house down the road by our other neighbors chicken last night. Do I need to be worried or get a trap?? Thanks guys! Also does rooster really protect their hens? I have a rooster and a few hens. Basically my pets

super worried

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Are they in a run? Do you lock them in coop each night? If yes to both then I'd not be worried. You'd be amazed at all the wildlife in your area if you had a game cam. But they are for fun, they don't stop predators. Locked coops at night do and runs are usually a good enough deterrent in daylight if near your house.

 

[shannon84]

Are they in a run? Do you lock them in coop each night? If yes to both then I'd not be worried. You'd be amazed at all the wildlife in your area if you had a game cam. But they are for fun, they don't stop predators. Locked coops at night do and runs are usually a good enough deterrent in daylight if near your house.

their house and coop are connected the coop door only slids shut but the run is basically dig proof. I think anyways

I need to get a game cam I'm pretty curious to see what all lurks around here. Their chicken run and house is extremely close to our house like maybe 10 or 15 steps close. We have a pit bull on the other side of the yard in a huge pen though

do you know if those red predator lights work pretty good? I have one but I honestly don't know if it keeps predators away. Thank you!

 

[drumstick diva]

Foxes are very creative, persistent and talented. They can dig, jump high, climb - if you have any weak area in coop or run, they will find it. We have foxes out here - suburbia but surrounded by Forest Preserve. They come out early morning, around dusk and any time during the day. I was coming home and decided to check the side of the house for blooming plants. As soon as I entered the passageway between the neighbor's & my house I saw a fox coming towards me -he retreated in a flash and leaped the fence in a single bound. He was mighty lucky - because the fence he jumped was where the pitbull lives.

I would strongly suggest a cover for your run. If you are using chicken wire - foxes and raccoons can go through it like it didn't exist.

 

[shannon84]

Foxes are very creative, persistent and talented.    They can dig, jump high, climb - if you have any weak area in coop or run, they will find it.  We have foxes out here - suburbia but surrounded by Forest Preserve.   They come out  early morning, around dusk and any time during the day.   I was coming home and decided to check the side of the house for blooming plants.  As soon as I entered the passageway   between the neighbor's  & my house  I saw a fox coming towards me -he   retreated in a flash and leaped the fence in a single bound.  He was mighty lucky - because the fence he jumped was where the pitbull lives.

I would strongly suggest a cover for your run.  If you are using chicken wire - foxes and raccoons can go through it like it didn't exist.

oh my! That is crazy, are they better at getting in then a raccoon, or are the both good at breaking in? I'm new with chickens and I feel like I learn something every day. Kind of exhausting lol. The run has that welded mesh fencing on top and the sides. Is that any good?

 

[aart]

Fox are not better at 'getting in' than raccoons....I don't think anything is.
Only gray fox climb, red fox not so much.
Best defense is a tight coop and run.

 

[shannon84]

...

Fox are not better at 'getting in' than raccoons....I don't think anything is.
Only gray fox climb, red fox not so much.
Best defense is a tight coop and run.
[/qu. That's what I heard about raccoons ugh.....I hope I never get a coon problem. Maybe I should invest in an electric fence. Also could a red tail hawk ( or any other birds) kill a big buff Orpington rooster? I've been seeing a few Hawks.

 

[sarandrew11]

So depressed right now a fox got all 3 of my hens. THIS was my first time raising CHICKENS. Poor things happened between 5-5 30 PM any suggestions for next to around is greatly appreciated my backyard is totally fenced we think the fox squeezed under

 

[aart]

So depressed right now a fox got all 3 of my hens. THIS was my first time raising CHICKENS. Poor things happened between 5-5 30 PM any suggestions for next to around is greatly appreciated my backyard is totally fenced we think the fox squeezed under

It's best to start a new thread ....
.....with the details and pics of your yard so folks can make suggestions.

 

[bigoledude]

Those red lights are absolutely a waste of time and money! Now if you add some green lights with them and it's Christmas time.....

We know animals eyes glow at night when shined with a light. When do you suppose an animal ever sees a predator's eyes glowing like something out of a Steven King movie?

The red lights are right up there with the super duper sound emitter that we can't hear but every animal out there can hear it. And, it's supposed to be so annoying to them that they won't come near your place. Sheeesh!

If you have predators, in most cases you must kill them or build an enclosure that is very strong.

Foxes are always hungry and very curious animals and, both traits make them very catchable. The simplest videos on YouTube will show you how to make a set that will catch foxes relatively quickly and effectively.