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

[sgregson]

We got our chickens on Monday and already our very cheeky and undeterred fox has found our chickens. The fox doesn't really seem phased when we chase it off and within about 5 mins it's back again. Although we know the eglu run is pretty much fox proof - it's freaking the girls out.

 

Does anyone know of any methods that might help deter the fox? Our garden is very secure but he seems to be able to jump the fences and gate to get in/out.

 

Any advice would be gratefully received

 

Thanks, Sal

[Space Chick]

Hi Sal,

 

I've read about deterrents but don't know how accurate they are. One I've read is to get the man of the house to urinate around the garden perimeter.

 

My hubby (bless him) is now having to pee in a bottle, and he's then transferring it into a watering can and "watering" around the garden wall.

 

We used to have foxes in the garden, but (she touches lots of wood) have not seen one since he's started doing that (we started it a few weeks before the girls came).

 

Its worth a shot if your hubby is prepared. Don't know why it has to be male pee though, sexist foxes!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sounds like you might need a Foxwatch . Do a search for it on the forum and you'll get loads of threads about it. (I don't have one so can't offer any advice!)

[Patricia W]

Remember the run is fox RESISTANT - not fox PROOF. If you don't have it on slabs I'd put slabs on the skirt to hold it down. Foxes can dig.

 

Also, lock your girls in at night. The eglu itself is pretty impenetrable but only if the door is shut.

 

Tricia

[Budgies]

I don't know how effective other people find the Foxwatch, but that would be my recommendation if it works.

 

Point being that our girls are often easily scared and can be literally frightened to death by a fox prowling around the run, even if it doesn't take a swipe at them.

 

I've tried all the peeing round the garden (my OH not me!) and we've now got a dog, but neither of these things have deterred the determined foxes.

[quickcluck]

We have a fox watch and so far we've not caught any vistors in the garden. I would NEVER leave the girls unattended if they were free ranging though, as the temptation would just be TOO much!

 

So a thumbs up from me!

[Olly]

I recommend a Foxwatch - it's not an absolute safeguard but it definitely deterred my local fox from hanging around the Eglu.

 

Take a look here for information about them.

[Surrey Hen]

After having foxes in the garden in the middle of the night a while ago (and rushing out to chase them with no thought for what I was wearing - or not wearing) I bought a Foxwatch and it has been very successful.

 

Surrey Hen

[Guest]

The only deterrent is electric fencing, but most people are not prepared to spend more money on it which is a shame(its the energisers that cost the money..but u can pick them up reasonably priced ..its really easy to turn off if u are around and just to leave on will stop it.

I am at some stage going to run some fencing around my run and electrify it...even then i wont leave them out alone

 

 

But you need as everyome says to shut them in at night and dont let them free range alone. The fox will be back day or night..sorry to sound alarmist but they will come and grab one if they can...

 

You dont need miles of electric fencing but that is the only deterrent.

 

Of course you can leave them in the run etc etc and just make it really secure(some people put corrugated panels on top of ie eglu run etc to help Fort knox is what u need

 

Good luck there is plenty on this subject on the forum

 

indie Fox

[mostin]

I would recommend you get a fox-watch immediately, and run it off mains power not batteries. I have one plugged in at all times, even when my girls are in their walk in run. This will act as a deterrent and keep foxy at more of a distance. I would echo indie999, though by saying if you have a fox that comes that close, and you want to let your girls out to roam, I think they may only be safe within a good electric fence.