pencilbeckett Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Hi All I have recently moved to live in a cottage on a farm. I have two exbats in a small eglu. We were planning an area near the cottage with woodchip and letting the girls free range in the day on the farm. However the farmer has now said we can put the girls on the field next to the house. So my exbatts are now paddling in mud on the field in the eglu run as i am so scared to let them out in case they get eaten I have bought some of the eglu fencing which pushes into the ground but i think they will just get taken from the area. Anywhere could anyone answer my questions please: Do foxes come in the daytime in the country? Would my 2 hens be less likely to create a mudbath on the field if they have the space of the cube to live in (if i can convince hubby to cough up hehe) Does anyone free range their hens using the omlet fencing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishMike Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 sorry, no experience here, but hey, your in the countryside - get a gun (& licence!) and deal with Mr Fox properly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Do foxes come in the daytime in the country? They are not as bold as the urban fox, but if there is a free meal laid on for them, they will come for it I'm afraid. Would my 2 hens be less likely to create a mudbath on the field if they have the space of the cube to live in (if i can convince hubby to cough up hehe) They will, but it might take a little longer. I'd be worried about it being too open to view and easily nicked. Does anyone free range their hens using the omlet fencing? I do, but I always put them away in the run if I go out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pencilbeckett Posted November 7, 2008 Author Share Posted November 7, 2008 Scottish Mike if i was a fox i would definately not try to take your hens he he Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottishMike Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 too right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louisdog Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Yes I am in a very rural area and have found out to my cost that the foxes are still as bold as brass. If you get Omlet fencing, why not electrify it? Most foxes will respect electric fencing. You'd need an earth spike (a metal rod, to poke in the ground, costs about a fiver) and an energiser (the cheapest is a battery one for about £50). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 I live in the country and foxes are fairly evident during the day. I keep my chickens behind electric fencing. They are out all day and despite evidence of foxes at close quarters they have been completely safe. Read this thread for more information on electric fencing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gracefruit Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 The farmer behind us has lost many chickens to two foxes who come by regularly. Most of the attacks happened around lunchtime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
