This morning up early with the dreaded fear of my bird may be gone??????

[Farming Feathers]

Hello. I understand that you'd prefer not to kill this fox, but I've had issues with red ones and they're honestly no longer welcome on my property.
They are very distructive creatures that can do a lot of harm. I've even witnessed a fox family stalk a deer right in front of me along with kill two of my Guineafowl. They are not nice animals. As far as trapping a releasing goes, it may seem good, but in no way is it. It will give the fox the opportunity to hurt other folk's family pets and even carry a sickness.

Since I understand you'd prefer not to put the fox to his misery, I strongly agree with the Nite Guard idea and that I think this will best suit your needs. Good luck, God bless. Have anice evening and please keep us filled in.

P.S.

And with my opinions given above, I am not by any means trying to go against your own wishes and concerns. Just want the best for you and your birds.

Your feelings and meanings are well taken and it could come to that...it's just my deepest feelings to try and find another way, Oh and hope it don't start a fire...but the grey fox is not as destructive as the red and more shy than others...they even live in trees where the others don't....but they still would kill a chicken given the opportunity...this fox doesn't seem to come on this property...he or she hunts the fence line and stays out of sight...I know the fox footpath and with that know where she is vulnerable...but we will see how this will play out as she may never try to attack my bird....that will change when I have several birds as the smell will draw the predators in.

 

[Farming Feathers]

Hello. I understand that you'd prefer not to kill this fox, but I've had issues with red ones and they're honestly no longer welcome on my property.
They are very distructive creatures that can do a lot of harm. I've even witnessed a fox family stalk a deer right in front of me along with kill two of my Guineafowl. They are not nice animals. As far as trapping a releasing goes, it may seem good, but in no way is it. It will give the fox the opportunity to hurt other folk's family pets and even carry a sickness.

Since I understand you'd prefer not to put the fox to his misery, I strongly agree with the Nite Guard idea and that I think this will best suit your needs. Good luck, God bless. Have anice evening and please keep us filled in.

P.S.

And with my opinions given above, I am not by any means trying to go against your own wishes and concerns. Just want the best for you and your birds.

 

[Farming Feathers]

Hello. I understand that you'd prefer not to kill this fox, but I've had issues with red ones and they're honestly no longer welcome on my property.
They are very distructive creatures that can do a lot of harm. I've even witnessed a fox family stalk a deer right in front of me along with kill two of my Guineafowl. They are not nice animals. As far as trapping a releasing goes, it may seem good, but in no way is it. It will give the fox the opportunity to hurt other folk's family pets and even carry a sickness.

Since I understand you'd prefer not to put the fox to his misery, I strongly agree with the Nite Guard idea and that I think this will best suit your needs. Good luck, God bless. Have anice evening and please keep us filled in.

P.S.

And with my opinions given above, I am not by any means trying to go against your own wishes and concerns. Just want the best for you and your birds.

 

[Farming Feathers]

Angry Hen...I regret the loss of you beloved flock members and sometimes witnessing the stalk and attack of a predator is both gripping and does bring on a hatred even when we know and understand why. It is that trauma you have experienced and no-one can understand how you felt...I can relate, but cannot say I know how you felt.

It has been decades since I have understood or studied the behavior of the red fox and cannot offer any suggestions, but I do recall they are much more aggressive predator on fowl than most other fox family members and it would seem I need to research online (great source for studies) back on fox families as I may need to understand what methods to employee and dealing with my own local predator.

One question I have....do they dig at your coop and runs or is your flock free ranging and they attack them outdoors. The reason I ask have been considering building a light weight plastic covered portable run to move my own birds around and sort of free range them in that manor...
In that way the hens are not visible yet their smell will be detected but it won't be as strong if the cover is large enough. I don't have motorized vehicle to move such an item around and my lungs won't permit me good mobility and any suggestions towards mobile free ranging for chickens would be appreciated as I too, must find a solution that will satisfy the problem and not cause me anguish.

I wish you well Angry Hen and thanks for your feed back to me.

 

[Folly's place]

FF, I do think that electric fencing, either multiple strands or rope or wire, or electrified poultry netting, are your best outdoor options here.
I use a cattle panel hoop house for meat birds, next to my house/ barking dogs, and move it with the lawn tractor. It works well for the three months or so, but it's certainly not dig-proof!
Mary

 

[The Angry Hen]

Angry Hen...I regret the loss of you beloved flock members and sometimes witnessing the stalk and attack of a predator is both gripping and does bring on a hatred even when we know and understand why. It is that trauma you have experienced and no-one can understand how you felt...I can relate, but cannot say I know how you felt.

It has been decades since I have understood or studied the behavior of the red fox and cannot offer any suggestions, but I do recall they are much more aggressive predator on fowl than most other fox family members and it would seem I need to research online (great source for studies) back on fox families as I may need to understand what methods to employee and dealing with my own local predator.

One question I have....do they dig at your coop and runs or is your flock free ranging and they attack them outdoors. The reason I ask have been considering building a light weight plastic covered portable run to move my own birds around and sort of free range them in that manor...
In that way the hens are not visible yet their smell will be detected but it won't be as strong if the cover is large enough. I don't have motorized vehicle to move such an item around and my lungs won't permit me good mobility and any suggestions towards mobile free ranging for chickens would be appreciated as I too, must find a solution that will satisfy the problem and not cause me anguish.

I wish you well Angry Hen and thanks for your feed back to me.

Thank you very much, I appreciate it greatly and thank you for the kind words. I was lucky that I only lost two to the fox, but two too many.

At the time when the red fox struck, my Guinea fowl were free ranging. But the fox was extremely close to the house which is really a shame since they were free ranging close. I will no longer free range as of my house is kinda tucked into the wood so if I free ranged once more it would definitely be bound to happening again.
I have not had one dig under the run, but if the fencing isn't deep below the surface, I assume that they will most likely find their way in. They are very crafty and quite the tricky creature to repel.

I really do wish that I can help you more when it comes to that task of of a mobile coop, but sadly the one I handle at the moment is stationary.

Thank you very much, it is a pleasure to help the slightest bit. And the same goes to you, I wish you well and hope your plans go well and that you never have to witness the same I have with the Guineafowl. Good luck and God bless. Have a very nice evening and best wishes along your journey.

 

[Farming Feathers]

FF, I do think that electric fencing, either multiple strands or rope or wire, or electrified poultry netting, are your best outdoor options here.
I use a cattle panel hoop house for meat birds, next to my house/ barking dogs, and move it with the lawn tractor. It works well for the three months or so, but it's certainly not dig-proof!
Mary

FP Thank you for the suggestion and when my farming is more advanced it may be possible at that time, and for now I consider you suggestion worthy to file for my future works. Thanks much

 

[Ursuline Chick]

You have gotten lots of information and ideas, now you can read over them as many times as you need and decide what is best for you and your flock. Whatever your decision, I hope it works well. Good luck

 

[Farming Feathers]

You have gotten lots of information and ideas, now you can read over them as many times as you need and decide what is best for you and your flock. Whatever your decision, I hope it works well. Good luck

 

[Farming Feathers]

You are very correct and thank you all for your generous suggestions...most appreciated