4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[ted]

I gues the answer may be dependant on how hungry they are. Our walls are about 2m high all round... Any views welcome.

cheers

[Egluntyne]

They can easily scale that height I'm afraid...especially of they have something handy like a dustbin or shed roof to give them a leg up.

[ted]

So in terms of keeping them out or detering them, what would you say was the options... I have seen "foxwatch" - a PIR which emits a high pitch anti fox noise... I am sure that there is nothing that you can do to 100% keep them out but am interested in the best and most effective deterants...

 

Cheers

[Egluntyne]

Foxwatches are useful but not to be relied upon totally. **Info here**

 

Electrified netting is another option.

[Old Speckled Hen]

Have you room for a 2metre fence with an outward facing overhang?

That's what I'm saving for.

Shouldn't need to electrify that.

[Olly]

The only safe answer is an enclosed run.

 

If a cat can climb it then so can a fox - the overhang might work, but height alone is no deterrent.

[chooklady]

We have a lot of foxes around us but as yet I have not seen any in the garden.

 

We have 6' fence all around the garden. We also have a dog and I wonder whether he is the best deterent of all.

 

My chooks are not our during the day if there is no one around.

It shocks me that foxes can climb that well!

[the eggman cometh]

if you know anyone that keeps ferrets, you could get some ferret poo, or even a blanket that has been in with tem for a bit to place round your run, the smell of them will/should keep mr Fox away. this also works well for rats.

[ted]

I have been rooting around a bit and it seems that unless you go for the fortress + elecricity then nothing (and even the fortress may not be) is 100%. Male pee around the perimeter is another that has come up and also having a dog around,as pointed out seems to be one of the best. The point you make about if a cat can get in then a fox can hit home today when next doors ginger tabby came and stalked the ladies for a bit before being launched into by Billy and George which should live with the cat for some time...

[Chillicat]

Human hair is supposed to be a deterrent. Local hairdressers will save you some if you ask nicely. I put mine over the other side of the fence when I get suspicious of fox activity.

[The Dogmother]

Sorry Ted, but nothing will stop a determined fox. I friend has fort knox style fencing and three enormous GSDs but she still got foxed.

[ted]

Yes I am beginning to understand that there is no "safe" solution... unless you can afford a moat full of pirhana maybe?

[OwenLdn]

if you know anyone that keeps ferrets, you could get some ferret poo, or even a blanket that has been in with tem for a bit to place round your run, the smell of them will/should keep mr Fox away.

 

LOL! The things I have done since owning chickens!

 

A friend of mine at work keeps ferrets and I asked her to bring in some ferret poo - boy it ponged! Even though it was in a tupperware tub inside 2 plastic bags!! My journey home on the tube was quite embarrassing! Im not sure how well it works- but ive put it along my boundaries aswell to see if this helps deter Mr Fox!

[ted]

well done! That is taking it seriously!!! I may have to try that, even if just for the story down the pub...

[Bantambabe]

I gues the answer may be dependant on how hungry they are. Our walls are about 2m high all round... Any views welcome.

cheers

 

I read an article in yesterdays Metro (newspaper) whilst in the waiting room at the hospital this morning about some people in Suffolk/Essex (can't remember exactly) who have a family of foxes sunbathing in the top of trees at the bottom of their garden - like 4 metres off the ground.

 

I tried to find a link to the photo, but couldn't get it to work - it involved subscribing to daily updates! You can find it at www.metro.co.uk if interested.

[Avalon Fantasy]

Hmmm.. don`t wish to alarm you but the news the other-day in my region had this..

It was exceedingly funny, and there is a live clip online too, but for chicken owners its not so funny.

Its like with anything..if its determined enough..hungry enough.. it will get in.

The omlet fencing for the eglu is utterly perfect.

Of course I would hate to tempt fate, but I figure.. IF you have the pegged down mesh, the door locked, the inner door of the eglu shut (night-times) then a fox would have to be chewing its-way through metal and plastic and I suspect it would give up.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/4805617/Foxes-nest-in-tree.html

 

http://cryptozoologynews.blogspot.com/2009/02/foxes-nest-in-tree.html

 

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1155884/Pictured-Family-foxes-sets-penthouse-home--30ft-tree.html

 

 

30 feet up they were too!!

[smanners]

A letter in this months Country Smallholding magazine suggests Alpacas are great fox guards for chickens .

Would love some of these wonderful creatures but size of my garden, and cost would prohibit this option for me

Maybe when I win the lottery and have lots of land and

[ted]

What about a fox terrier? They are quite nice as well. Not sure how they would do with the chickens... terriers can be a bit unpredictable?

[OwenLdn]

I would love a Wire Haired Fox Terrier!

 

However im not sure how it would have to get on with the cats? But very cool little dogs!