Trapping a fox- impossible? Alternative is poison?

[cluckcluck42]

We have a fox problem. Neighbour saw a fox coming out of my yard twice so it is confirmed as a fox. Lost a bird last night, almost lost my big rooster but I guess the fox couldnt kill him (he is a huge bird). He managed to kill the big dumb ugly hen that stays outside at night. I still am confused as to why the rooster was out.. maybe he got kicked out of the coop prior to us closing the door for the night. He's lucky to be alive. He has a war wound on the back of his head but I am positive he will make it.

I can buy a trap locally for about 100 bucks but the guy at the store said raccoon traps do not work for foxes. Is this true??

I called the game warden first thing this morning and he brushed me off. They used to lend out traps but not anymore. He said get a trapper- I said okay do you have any names? No. Thanks for all that help!

So- please share your fox killing wisdom with me. My father says to poison but we have dogs around. It is very doable to have the dogs locked up and tied far away from the poison. We do not have any stray animals nearby that we would be concerned about. My father said rat poison and wet cat food- is this what I can use?

I would prefer not to poison it. I would prefer to trap it and shoot it in the face. Poison seems like an agonizing death, as much as I hate it I do not want it to suffer any longer than it has to.

Please share your fox killing wisdom with me. I am in dire need of it!

 

[cluckcluck42]

Has anyone successfully trapped a fox in a large live trap??

Has anyone poisoned a fox?? What did you use? (rat poison, etc)

 

[NoelTate]

I know foxes can be trapped because a friend of mine's son climbed their fence to release a fox the neighbor had trapped. It had been spotted in the neighborhood, and the guy wanted to kill it for its tail. I know it's unpopular here, but because I do not believe in killing things (don't even eat meat), I am a big on either just building stronger pens or trapping predators and releasing them. Not sure what your answer is, but I do no know foxes can be trapped.

 

[mychookschick]

Hello.... I too have had foxy loxy troubles and can't put my finger on what exactly I did to make him go away.... But, I personally think he was afraid of the mad lady who chased him half way to tim-buck-too sreaming "YOU LEAVE MY BABIES ALONE! COME BACK HERE AGAIN AND I WILL SHOOT YOU!" lol

What happened was I was watching out the window adn I saw him go flying across the field adn grab one of my ladies (Aggie)! So ran out the door and started hollering at him....

(I always laugh at this part) He stopped dead in his tracks and LOOKED at me!! He dropped Aggie and ran into the woods! She (Aggie) is alive and well even today!

Just some thoughts!

If I were you I would keep a .22 handy!

 

[Judy]

I did trap one in a live trap, 2 or 3 years ago. Wish I could remember what the bait was -- nothing that unusual -- probably some ham or other smelly form of pork.

 

[zazouse]

Trapperman.com is a great group of folks that may be able to help you, mabe even help you find a trapper in your area, check um out.

 

[Harris5]

We trapped one using canned cat food in the back of a raccoon sized live trap. Just open the can and put it toward the back of the cage so the fox has to get all the way in to get to the food. I also watched my tiny Dutch bantam pullet chase a fox out of my yard....twice.

 

[Tdub4chiks]

MHO, poison is not the way to handle this. Either, keep the chickens secure in a run, trap it or put the dogs close to the chickens. I don't think the fox would attempt to go near the dogs.

 

[cluckcluck42]

Thank you all! And I will check out that website.

If you guys think a trap will work I will go pick one up tonight. I don't want to use poison, that would be a last resort. I'm glad someone agreed because I didnt want to go that route. You just never know who or what could eat the stuff.

Do I have to cover the trap with leaves and such?? Or does it not matter?

OH AND GOOD NEWS- The fox did NOT eat my hen!! Big dumb ugly hen is still alive! She was in the coop. I guess she finally caught on that is the safe place to be.

oh and the chickens are going to be in the coop 24/7 its just that we have 13 roosters that need to be killed that my fiance has spaced on. I just cant kill them myself so I have had to let some chickens out during the day to prevent fighting. Any one want 13 roosters? They look delicious!

 

[wildeflowers]

Quote:
I agree. I am not sure why you would feel the need to trap or poison a fox for killing chickens that were left unprotected and outside a secure coop or run. IMO, that is like dangling candy in front of a baby, and I am not particularly mushy about predators. I just believe that it is MY responsibility to keep my chickens secure. This is not a predator that's digging under your run or breaking into your henhouse. The chickens were outside at night, making them prime and easy targets for predators. Removing one fox will not stop the carnage. Just a new one will come along for the free buffet.

Whether you remove this fox or not, you have two choices. If you decide to continue free ranging, you going to have to accustom yourself to some losses. Or you can butcher the roos and keep your flock in the secure run.