Tweety Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I have a large area in my garden which the girls loved free-ranging on last year, but I lost 2 of them there to an unknown predator. I would like to let them out there again at some stage, and am trying to think of ways to make it safer for them. The area is too large to cover with a run, but I wondered if a large fruit cage might be ok? I know that it wouldn't be foxproof, and I would only let them out in it if I was at home, but thought that it might give them some protection. Has anyone else done this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bantam of the Opera Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 im not sure about the fruit cage because i dont really know what one is but i also lost a few of mine to foxes and now i only let them out when i at home and theyve been fine, i think foxes can sense when there are people around and they don't come out. edit; Please do not think this is true, it's not safe! See below. also ive got liek a little bit of wire around them to stop them running off but tahts all. hope tahts helpful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 (edited) .... i also lost a few of mine to foxes and now i only let them out when i at home and theyve been fine, i think foxes can sense when there are people around and they don't come out..... edit; Please do not think this is true, it's not safe! See below. ... Just had to add that because many foxes are unphased by nearby humans. Also, being in the house watching is not much safer than being away, please take care. As for fruitcages; they would contain the hens but, as you say, no safety from predators. I see a lot of people have viewed but not replied. Perhaps not a great idea? Unless you were actually going to be out there with them every minute that they were in it? Maybe a ready made run ( www.Flytesofancy.co.uk ?) or make one the same size as a fruitcage but with strong mesh sides. Good luck, and let us know what you decide! Edited January 29, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Some foxes are as bold as brass and come into gardens even when people are there. I'm sure Gallina has reported this. (Apologies Gallina if I'm taking your name in vain) Never underestimate the fox. If your fruit cage is made of weld mesh and sturdy timber it might be ok. If it is net or even chicken wire then it won't I'm afraid. The fox can bite through chicken wire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 I think you could use it in the same way as other people let their girls free range but it would mean you didnt have to keep chasing them off certain patches. So rather than having to fence off every veg patch etc you fence them off with it but I don't think you could treat it as a run. I hope that makes sense Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Makes sense to me, Bron! The fruit cage would stop them straying out of sight, or into areas where you don't want them. I worry about mine at the end of the garden - even though my garden's not that big - because if the fox were going to take them, that would be a likely place. So I use the Omlet netting sometimes to keep them within eyesight. Afraid I have to endorse Sheila's comment above - I've seen the fox in my garden even though I was in and out of the house. The last time, I was sitting in the greenhouse and he approached about ten feet away - it was only because I heard magpies chattering that I got up and looked out, and chased him off. Urban foxes don't fear people. The fruit cage might make it easier to keep the girls in an area where you can supervise, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MedusA Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 I've seen the fox in my garden even though I was in and out of the house. The last time, I was sitting in the greenhouse and he approached about ten feet away - it was only because I heard magpies chattering that I got up and looked out, and chased him off. Urban foxes don't fear people. I can vouch for that! A fox took one of my girls when I had popped into the kitchen for a few moments. I'd even left the door open as I wasn't going to be long! They are bold as brass and very opportunistic. Don't take the risk! However I agree that as a "keeping chickens confined so they don't destroy the garden" idea, the fruit cage would be fine, but as fox-protection, no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 I used our fruit cage as a run for the ex-batts when they first arrived but we had pegged down all of the netting to keep animals out anyway. The fruit cage was fine as a temperary measure. They are now safely tucked up inside their new cube. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 A lot depends on your garden, but if, as in my garden, there's only one direction from which the fox could come, then a Foxwatch pointed in that direction would certainly help. We used to have lots of foxes in the garden - even when we were out there - but have seen none at all since we bought Foxwatch. I know that they are not a guarantee, but with that they would be reasonably safe in a fruit cage while you were at home. It's really up to each of us to decide how much of a risk we are willing to take in order to give the chickens a more natural life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
