The Old Folks Home

[Cynthia12]

By the evidence, I'm beginning to think it's my worst nightmare, a daylight hunting fox. My guess is that the only reason it didn't get my Patty is I interrupted the attack when I came out the door. I now realize that I think I saw it out of the corner of my eye yesterday. Most everything else you can either usually convince to move on or fairly easily trap. Fox just make a game out of outsmarting you.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!! I can't keep the girls locked in the coop forever.

My other concern is my little pup is within the size range that a fox would attack if provoked (they run from larger dogs) and my crazy little dog doesn't know what to NOT go barking and running at until AFTER whatever it is doesn't run away!

So, the fox is too wise for a live trap? So sorry, I've not had a problem with fox. Cats yes. I don't own cats. Had a Ferrell cat come and get one of my Heritage RIR's, caught it eating it behind our feed shed.
I am soo glad that all of your chickens are ok. It's horrible to find them dead. :/

 

[Cynthia12]

Had to post this for all of our little sewers on this thread.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

We have daylight fox issues here, too.

One thing that's slowed them down a bit (besides fences) is playing music. We put Ozzy's Boneyard on Sirius XM outdoor speakers (our neighbors love us) from coop open to coop close. We've had one bird go missing since then.

I have put up a game camera as well to try to locate when and how the fox comes through. Usually I've found they're pretty routine. Ergo, sit outside and wait for the fox during plausible fox time. Not sure if you can shoot where you are, but a .22 takes them out.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Cyn, rest assured that the household chores are *always* done and I'm wearing the finest in black lipstick when I sew.

 

[chickisoup]

We have daylight fox issues here, too.

One thing that's slowed them down a bit (besides fences) is playing music. We put Ozzy's Boneyard on Sirius XM outdoor speakers (our neighbors love us) from coop open to coop close. We've had one bird go missing since then.

I have put up a game camera as well to try to locate when and how the fox comes through. Usually I've found they're pretty routine. Ergo, sit outside and wait for the fox during plausible fox time. Not sure if you can shoot where you are, but a .22 takes them out.

Blasting Ozzy Osborn would make ME leave the property!!!

Went over our 5 ft fence like it wasn't there. Thanks for the tip about their routine. I'll watch for that. My girls are in lockdown between the coop and greenhouse until this varmint is gone.

Shooting no problem. Everybody target shoots around here all the time. I swear some of them are using cannons!

Game camera up? Check. 22 loaded and on shelf by back door? Check. $#@&* fox?

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Good luck!

We're thinking of switching to talk radio to see if that scares the rest of the foxes away.

 

[Peep_Show]

Scary scary scary.... Glad your girls are all right.


Scary scary scary is the thought of me in lipstick all day long. But, then, with the rule that the house must be in order.... Well, epic fail.

 

[NotAFarm]

Had to post this for all of our little sewers on this thread.

I am soooo glad I was born after the age of "Have hair in order, your powder and lipstick put on. if you are constantly fearful that a visitor might drop in or your husband might come home". I am constantly happy when neighbors come by or when my DH comes home, even if I am out on the mower with hair out of order and no make-up on!
For anyone longing for "the good 'ol days" be careful what you wish for.

 

[drumstick diva]

You're right about that. I don't wear makeup(allergic) ,cut my own hair (oh oh) and generally have jeans and sweatshirt or t-shirt on. What ya see is what ya get.

My mom never would have dressed like that, or NOT have had her hair 'done.', face washed and makeup on. She always seemed to have a dust rag in her hand. Of course I was more prim and proper during my dating years . That never panned out, so then I started doing and dressing the way I wanted. Such a relief.

 

[dsqard]

Cynthia I have seen that description of how to prepare for sewing before. It cracks me up every time. I believe SCG about the black lipstick though.

This does seem to be the time of year for predators since their natural prey is settling down and getting ready to hibernate for the winter. Lost a lot of my flock a while back to IDK what. I couldn't find a print and it was like a dog attack in that many of the birds were killed but not eaten. I was missing many of the carcasses too and it would have been impossible for a dog to get in and get out of the pen without some kind of damage to the fencing. Now a fox or big cat would be a different matter. Chicki I am so glad to hear that all your girls were there. I hope you get the

predator!