Solitary chicken - need advice

[Pedro1962]

I am considering getting a FoxWatch as part of my strategy to protect my hens from fox attack.

 

Just to confuse matters, I have just had an email from the Green Gardener website advertising a similar product:

 

http://www.greengardener.co.uk/product.asp?id_pc=6&id_product=137&cat=1

 

I have read a lot of positive comments about the FoxWatch in various threads. Does anyone have any experience of using the Pestclear product?

[Olly]

Never used the Pestclear, it looks interesting - I see you can set it to repel different types of annoying animal!

 

The only observation I can make is that I think the Foxwatch only uses 2 batteries, I could be wrong on that, whereas this one uses 4. If you're going to replace them frequently that might be a factor.

[gongladosh]

I've just bought a FoxWatch - you can buy an optional mains power adapter I've bought that also).

 

The benefit of the mains power is that it doesn't run out, and the range is longer than battery power.

 

I noticed that for the FoxWatch, it comes with a manufacturer's guarantee of its effectiveness.

[Guest]

Hi

 

I dont have a foxwatch but think some folks on here have still had chicken losses with Foxwatch, not sure its 100% effective perhaps a bit of a deterrent?

 

Hope I am incorrect, but electric fencing best bet as deterrent or fully enclosed run

 

Good luck indie

[Olly]

Foxwatch is never more than a deterrent - a hungry (or desperate) fox who can see unprotected chickens within easy reach will put up with the discomfort of the noise.

 

It does however deter foxes from using regular paths across your garden and from hanging around the Cube or Eglu and frightening the hens. I would never rely on it to prevent hens being taken, apart from anything else the range is too limited, and I don't think the manufacturers claim more than that it will be a deterrent. If you have a persistent fox in your garden I recommend it though - it made my local one choose somewhere else to play.

[gongladosh]

There's another benefit too - I was getting rather fed up of removing smelly fox poo from my garden every day. I've not had to do that since getting the FoxWatch...

[fantasticjudyann]

Does anyone know if Foxwatch can be used when cats are around? I want to protect my chooks but not terrify my two moggies!

[docsquid]

I just got one and the cats don't mind it at all. They can hear it clicking, as we can, but not the noise it makes to deter foxes. They mind the chickens a whole lot more

[FiggyPudding]

we've got 2 foxwatches & 1 chicken taken. We haven't had (so far) any digging around the run though.

We have cats in the garen so it doesn't seem to bother them.

 

Not heard of pestclear.

[fantasticjudyann]

Thanks for that

 

The Omlet guide suggests male pee and human hair to deter foxes. Do you know if this works? What do you do with the hair- my hairdresser says I can have as much as I want.!!

[sandyhas3chucks]

I've just bought a FoxWatch - you can buy an optional mains power adapter I've bought that also).

 

The benefit of the mains power is that it doesn't run out, and the range is longer than battery power.

 

I noticed that for the FoxWatch, it comes with a manufacturer's guarantee of its effectiveness.

not dissing them as I have 2 but I understand the guarantee of effectiveness, is somewhat iffy, they have not really conducted any testing .