likeastar--x Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Ok I really need some advice from someone who has kept chickens in an area with a LOT of foxes. My neighbour has a HUGE garden with a load of bushes which basically the whole villages foxes live in. The foxes have been elusive for as long as weve lived here...that is until yesterday when we got our first chickens! We got 3 chickens and were going back in 4 weeks to get 2 bantams but the way im seeing it we will have to get rid of the ones we have now! After the first night the girls have all been scared off their perch onto the floor of the house and the fox has managed to pull some of the netting round the run away from the frame. When I came down this morning there was one in the garden which I frrightened away, but as soon as I went back to the kitchen it came back! Does anyone know any repellents that have been tried and tested which are humane? I saw some ultrasound devices on the internet, but do these actually work? Helpp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electricbarbarella Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 I don't know from personal experience but everyone on here seems to use Foxwatch, but only as a detterant I don't think it is 100% reliable. Get a man to wee round the garden for starters. ewww. i am sure people will be along in a second with ,much better advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted July 27, 2008 Author Share Posted July 27, 2008 Ahh what is Foxwatch? I am so out of the loop. [Newbie] Also im a bit concerned that my chickens havent used the ladder in the hen house yet??? Thankss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 You are thinking about a **Foxwatch**. They are a helpful line of defence but I would not rely on them totally. You could: 1. Sprinkle male human urine about the place. 2. Scatter human hair around 3. Use animal repellents such as **this** or **this** 4. Use electric fencing. 5. Cut back the shrubs. The foxes might be suffiicently disturbed that they clear off, especially if you pester them frequently. Have you got an Eglu? The hens will be safe when inside it. Close the Door at night for extra security. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Electricbarbarella Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 I don't really know, I think it is a soud emmitting thing, do a google. Are they brand new, I have read that a lot of peoples chooks do not use the ladders and things straight off, they have to be shown. mine all knew where to go to bed first night but I think if you show them for a few nights they soon get the hang. Are you enjoying them, sounds like you are having a bit of a stressful start. they are worth it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted July 27, 2008 Author Share Posted July 27, 2008 I have ordered an eglu for my boyfriends birthday which is why im on this site, but these chickens are in a wooden coop at the moment, and will be for the forseeable future. Ive heard about the male urine idea, but as lovely as asking my boyfriend to pee in my garden sounds, i dont think he'll be too impressed. Is there any way you can order urine online? (okay, thats the weirdest question ive ever asked in my life) or the faeces of another animal? Also does the human hair trick work?? Thankss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted July 27, 2008 Author Share Posted July 27, 2008 I am enjoying them, and ive been looking forward to this for ageess but its kind of being spoilt by my worrying! Also as we were told by the woman we bought them off, they need to settle in so we cant let them out or pick them up, and im desperate to !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted July 27, 2008 Author Share Posted July 27, 2008 Uh oh, the foxwatch sounds good, but I have a dog who would like to continue to enjoy living in the garden. The part where my chickens are is down some steps off to the side of the garden. As its motion sensored if I face it away from the garden toward the coop will it not affect the dog? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 (edited) The only way to keep hens completely safe is to never let them free range when you're unable to supervise them. The minute you turn your back, the fox has an opportunity to strike! If you've got a garden full of foxes, the only way to be sure that the hens won't be attacked is to keep them in the Eglu run once you get it. If you want more than 2 hens or you want to give them more room, you can buy extensions from the Omlet shop. You start off with the converter panel which straightens up the sloping roof of the run and this also gives you an extra metre of run space then you can add as many extensions as you want. Hair, male urine etc aren't 100% reliable, nor is Foxwatch. Keeping them in the run is the safest option . Can you put paving slabs or some bricks or something round the edge of the run you've got at the moment to stop anything from being able to pull the wire up? Edited July 27, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Frugal Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 A thought to get the hens to use the ladder - mine wouldn't use ours at first and we found that putting a lit torch inside the coop was irresistible! They had to go up to investigate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Re the urine...I doubt that you could get it online....but you never know. Try googling. Re the animal faeces.....there is a product called **Silent Roar** that might help. None of the methods described are absolutely guarranteed to keep the fox away. The only way to keep them safe is to have them in a fox proof run and house and as Kate says, to supervise them all the time when they are free ranging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
likeastar--x Posted July 27, 2008 Author Share Posted July 27, 2008 I might try putting bricks round the bottom of the run so the foxes dont bash it open... Also I just went in and one of them was crying?? Confused....? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egg Lou Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 You could ask boyfriend to unrinate in a bottle/jug and then sprinkle it this way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted July 27, 2008 Share Posted July 27, 2008 Sounds like your not having too much fun! Do your neighbours like the foxes? If not you could ask them to do the same things, or if you buy something you could as would they mind if you put a bit of it in their garden too. Tell them about the situation because the worst thing they can do is keep it as it is now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
