A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 I have just been outside because my dog was barking, and found two foxes eyeing up my chickens (safe in their run) from the roof of my (massive) shed. A third of the garden is shed, a third is grass and the top bit of he garden is patio. The chickens are in a wooden run with slabs round it on the grass. I tried to hose the foxes but the hose wasn't long enough, and the dog lost interest in the foxes and started trying to eat the water from the hose. I pointed at the foxes. I said 'kill'. I said 'bark'. But he wouldn't. So in the end *I* had to do the barking to get them to clear off. All my fences are six foot tall, but I think the foxes are jumping on to next door's shed, then on to a wall behind my shed (a ten foot drop from that into the gardens behind - we're on a hill) and then on to my shed roof. What can I do so they can't sit on my roof? It's illegal to cover the roof in glass or barbed wire isn't it? OOOOOOH the brazenness of them! My throat is ho"Ooops, word censored!" now from the barking. Anna x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 How about one of those high powered super soaker water pistols? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 How about some **Prikka Strip** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuggywoo Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 I think the foxes are jumping on to next door's shed, then on to a wall behind my shed and then on to my shed roof. What can I do so they can't sit on my roof? It's illegal to cover the roof in glass or barbed wire isn't it? Have you thought of putting some fencing on the shed roof?? Round the side you think the foxes are jumping up obviously! The Prikka Strip is all very well but I doubt that would be a detterent unless you went for the Bird Ban one - legal but lethal to cats as well as foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted September 19, 2008 Author Share Posted September 19, 2008 I think the watergun thing in the first instance, but I can't be doing that all day every day. I thought maybe a motion sensor soaker, but that may be tricky with trees and birds around. Prikka strip looks good, but may be expensive - it's a massive shed. As long as a window cleaner's ladder, but squared. We used to have carpet grippers on our fence edges at my old house. Don't know if they're cheaper. I've thought about fencing on the roof, but we have a lovely view of Rochester Castle from our house and I don't think the other half would give that up. It could get quite expensive, outwitting foxes. I HATE them. The bad evil hellfiends. I thought maybe a mad professor boiling oil contraption too but I'm not quite professor enough to come up with something feasible. Hmm...... Thanks for the tips though. Any more? It's the scale that's the problem. It's as big as a studio flat-worth's of roofing. God knows why the previous tenants thought they'd need it, but we can't demolish it this year. Anna x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishMike Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 air rifle? * disclaimer - know the law and shoot safely and responsibly!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted September 19, 2008 Author Share Posted September 19, 2008 The BASC and DEFRA ladies, they say no. We live in an end of terrace. The 'no' is for health and safety at worst, and noise at best. An air rifle would be my first choice. After grenades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 there's no need to resort to air rifles! why don't you get a foxwatch or put your girls to bed at night? we lock ours in their coop at night then let them out in the morning. Failing that, beef up your run protection (if it needs it). If you have good run security then there's no need to hurt the foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 The use of firearms isn't really appropriate in the average urban back garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 Ant says don't hurt the foxes just be more vigilant Allison& Ant !eggwhite! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 I'd definitely invest in a Foxwatch - it's worked for me. You can't rely on it absolutely, I still supervise free-ranging, but it will deter them. While it comes with a ground spike, there's no reason you couldn't fix it up on the shed roof - then when they stop coming on there, move it somewhere else. No matter how secure your run, it will upset your chickens if the fox is hanging around and watching them. This is a safe solution that shouldn't upset any other wildlife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 I agree. I've found my Foxwatch to be very effective. You could also try electrified fencing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new chick Posted September 19, 2008 Share Posted September 19, 2008 I live in the country. Expect foxes and protect your girls. Last year I saw many foxes, during the winter months (I do like the beasts. however, this was before getting my girls.) Look for good run protection. NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted September 20, 2008 Author Share Posted September 20, 2008 I know I can't have firearms in reality Egluntine. I used to have foxes in my old garden and loved watching them. But now, they are not lovely wildlife, they are killers in waiting, and I'm getting territorial on them! Those foxwatches - I have a dog. Will it upset my dog? Because dogs are a bit like foxes for hearing aren't they? My hens are in a very secure run and of course I lock them up at night, but these bad foxes were sitting less than five metres away and staring in the daytime! Which is the hen equivalent of having asbo hoodies outside your house. I think the amoune of prikka strip I need would be prohibitively expensive. So - foxwatch. Good plan. But is it dog friendly? Anna x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 20, 2008 Share Posted September 20, 2008 It says that it won't affect dogs, and I know some people on here have posted to say that their dog was fine with it ... but others have said that the dog COULD hear it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave36 Posted September 21, 2008 Share Posted September 21, 2008 Hi Foxes hate netting especially walking on it, could you get some kind of netting and attach it about 6 inches of the ground or roof, they cannot seem to work it out and keep tripping where as cats have no problem with this, maybe worth a try. Good luck Dave &Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A chickychickychick-ENN!! Posted September 21, 2008 Author Share Posted September 21, 2008 That sounds like an afordable option! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
