bekibutton Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Not quite a chicken question but I didn't know where else to put it.... Three months after acquiring some new chooks following our previous (assumed) fox attack, she's killed the newbies. They were kept in their run during the day but we'd started being 'nice' and letting them free range of an evening when we were around. My bro spotted the fox strolling across our patio on Sunday evening by which time she'd already got both chickens I've managed to get two more new chickens who are settling into their new home. But I happened to look out at the house at about 6-7pm yesterday and the small vixen was there trying to pull the run with her teeth to get at the chickens. I got my dad to go and chase her away and she wiggled through one of the squares in our stock proof fence (the same place she was seen to go out at the weekend). So it seems she's got the idea that there are tasty chooks in my garden! Now the chooks will be in the run all the time, except perhaps letting them out for 5 mins when I'm cleaning them out, and we'll be getting a walk in run to give them a bit more space. I have to say I was v impressed with the foxproofness of the Cube, knew all about it of course but had never seen it in action! I've read about getting the males of the household to 'scent' the garden by weeing in it. Obviously as I'm a girl it probably wouldn't be very effective, but my dad (and bro) are going to take some persuading. So, do you think it works? What are your experiences? Thanks! Becki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 No, not in my experience. There are many recommendations and old wives tales - human hair hung up in bags, men peeing, and of course keeping a dog. In my experience none of these things keep foxes away. what does get a good response generally is a Foxwatch which emits a sound that foxes dislike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
po Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 i lost 2 chickens to a fox on sunday, for the last 12 months they had free ranged all day from morning till dusk without any incident. i have a 6 foot fence all around the garden and neighbours either side with high fences. even though i knew a fox could probably scale the fences i had grown complacent because i had never had a visit from one. as they were out free ranging on sunday i heard a hell of a comotion, and sadly before i could get outside and chase the fox off 2 of my girls were dead. knowing the fox would be back i locked the girls up the next day and put a foxwatch alarm along the fence it got over. sure enough the fox returned at 5am the next morning (i was getting ready for work!) as soon as it set the foxwatch off it shot off like a bolt of lightening back over the fence. not seen any signs of the fox being back, but feel sure it will keep trying. so maybe worth using a foxwatch as a deterent but dont rely on it 100% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Not a permanent solution I'm afraid. Your best bets would be either a walk in run or some electrified fencing. Sorry to hear that you have had a second attack. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted May 14, 2009 Share Posted May 14, 2009 Sorry to hear that . I hope you manage to get something rigged up to make it all safe so you won't have to worry any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
