I have been really, really lucky and lost almost no birds to predators- until 2 weeks ago. Now I have a (horrible curse word I won't type) fox. He has decimated my flock- taking at least 10 layers and all 5 ducks. And these attacks are brazen- middle of the day. I have seen the fox 3 times myself in the daylight!
I am pulling out drastic measures- I bought a LGD- a 3/4 GP and 1/4 Maremma 5 mo old female that was raised with chickens. She is huge and sweet as pie and obviously I'm already in love. But when the fox came just to look at the chickens this morning she didn't do anything! The fox didn't go in the pen, but the chickens were still freaking out. What do I do? I can fully accept that she is just too young- will she grow into her job? How do I help her learn to hate fox?
And any suggestions on fox control? We have tried trapping and that didn't work, but we can try again. Also, we have run an electric fence along the bottom of the pen so it will shock anything climbing in or out. And obviously I would love to shoot the thing and be done, but haven't been successful with that either yet. Oh, and I also tried having an am radio playing out there but it came back with that too. AGHGHGHGH!
Please help!!
I am pulling out drastic measures- I bought a LGD- a 3/4 GP and 1/4 Maremma 5 mo old female that was raised with chickens. She is huge and sweet as pie and obviously I'm already in love. But when the fox came just to look at the chickens this morning she didn't do anything! The fox didn't go in the pen, but the chickens were still freaking out. What do I do? I can fully accept that she is just too young- will she grow into her job? How do I help her learn to hate fox?
And any suggestions on fox control? We have tried trapping and that didn't work, but we can try again. Also, we have run an electric fence along the bottom of the pen so it will shock anything climbing in or out. And obviously I would love to shoot the thing and be done, but haven't been successful with that either yet. Oh, and I also tried having an am radio playing out there but it came back with that too. AGHGHGHGH!
Please help!!