saw the darn fox about 5 ft out my backdoor

[peepsquad]

I've seen it a few months ago, occasionally while taking the kids to the bus stop. we have a long driveway about 1/2 mile. i usually see it around there. Now that the kids are out of school, I saw it last week or so, by my truck, and I just ran out the porch door screaming at it

my DH gave me a serious talking to about that

He let me know that when i said fox, he was getting his gun, and don't ever chase after one, they only run so far, then they come after you, and where did you think you were gonna go when that happened?

So today, while I was sitting on the floor with my hen that seems to have a hurt leg, I saw it walking up to the backdoor where the other chickens very frequently hang out to visit with the other one through the glass, and this time I said HONEY--FOX-- BACKDOOR! and got out of the way. He did manage to get a shot off and saw right where it was going. Unfortunately he was too far away by then. I know we have to kill it, and I plan to keep my chickens in their run for a few days or however long it takes, BUT, how long might it take? I read the sound of a gunshot will keep them away for a few days, or they will come back at night. I plan to keep the gun with me at all times when I'm outside working or just playing with my "friends" I've never shot anything before, but I plan to soon. So, my question, I recently got two pot belly pigs, and they are outside in a really nice pen, with a really cute house (thanks honey), it has the 4' no climb fencing, but i hear foxes can get over or under it. Will the foxes go after them? When we first got them 2 weeks ago they spent a week living in the chicken run, until their house was ready. I could put them back for a few days, they actually liked it. Seems pigs are cleaner than chickens. who knew? The coop/run was built on top of concrete from an old dog kennel. Like 10X20. So I know they can't dig in. Its very secure. I just don't want to lose anything. At this point if I do, then I didn't do my job as a pet owner because I know its out there, and I feel its been stalking us for sometime. If this helps the pigs are about 4 months old, maybe 40 lbs.

 

[Jubilee1111]

Seems to me your pigs are bigger than a fox would be able to take on. For peace of mind, you could string hot wire along the top and bottom of their fence.

 

[peepsquad]

Everyone was fine this morning, and I did not let the chickens or ducks out today. While I was out hanging with them I saw the fox again around 8:30 am. I'm in central florida so it has been raining alot lately and its going to continue for a few days, normally they are out no matter what. We finally have everything ready for him if he comes to visit tomorrow, but with Tropical Storm Debby hanging out this week, I'm not sure my fox will show, either way, guess where we will be hanging out tomorrow, however long it takes. Coffee, breakfast, lunch, cocktails, dinner..... we will be waiting, he likes the backyard, and I have a great view of it. Thanks to my honey, he doesn't have the heart to kill anything, but thankfully I found someone who understands my chicken addiction. Our deal is if I buy it he will build it, just so happens he got attached too.