helen1962 Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 Hi all Can someone please tell me what a fox watch is. I am new to keeping hens and mine free range all day. I have not seen any foxes near here although I have seen them further in town. My neighbours all have rabbits that completely free range and we also have escapee rabbits on the street. I do have large fences and when I took possession of my 3 hens I was told the garden seemed very secure. HOwever after reading all the advice about keeping hens in a run when you are out, even when people nip to the loo! is all very worrying. My hens love being out and about and when I did have the run set up and only let them out when I was home, they would pull at the door of the run. Anyway I am waffling, I just need to know what a fox watch is an how to get one. Thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted November 7, 2009 Share Posted November 7, 2009 Details **here** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 The manufacturers site will tell you everything you need to know. **Foxwatch** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Helen, it's a matter of personal choice and some people take the view that they'd rather their hens had lots of free-ranging time against what they perceive as a very low risk of foxes. However please don't underestimate the risk, because I have seen the comment too many times 'we had never seen a fox' or 'we have 6' fences, we didn't think a fox could get in' posted by people who found out the hard way. The Foxwatch is (in my opinion) really effective at deterring foxes from using your garden as a pathway or from hanging around the chickens, but it won't keep them off altogether. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 this is really topical in our house at the moment.... we are getting really tired of dodging the fox poo in our garden on route to let the girls into their garden area (4 foot fenced area separate from the rest of our garden), but it is getting worse and worse. We have not seen the foxes for ages, but know they come in regularly. will fox watch help, the marketing stuff says it will, but there is nothing bette than the Omlet forum for guidance.... All opinions welcome please!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted November 8, 2009 Share Posted November 8, 2009 Personally, I think electric fencing or a WIR is the only really safe way to go. There seems to be several instances of the fox ignoring the foxwatch or similar - or maybe it's not set up properly. Someone who has one will come on soon no doubt. Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Has anybody who has a foxwatch noticed any effect on cats? I think I'd like to get one, but we have three cats and the last thing we want to do is scare them, or make them go to the neighbours' gardens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lydia Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 I have 2 Foxwatches and 2 cats - no effect whatsoever on my moggies or next doors. Patricia W is right - they are not a fail safe method (for that you really do need a secure WIR or electric fencing) but I find them a useful deterrent. As an example 'our' fox used to visit every day throughout the day and night until we installed the Foxwatches and we have never seen one in the garden since. He/she is still around as I see him/her sitting in next door's garden sunning himself during the day and also investigates anyone's rubbish that is put out for the bin men. That said, we don't rely on it and never leave our girls out freeranging without one of us being out there with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillH Posted November 9, 2009 Share Posted November 9, 2009 Helen, it's a matter of personal choice and some people take the view that they'd rather their hens had lots of free-ranging time against what they perceive as a very low risk of foxes. However please don't underestimate the risk, because I have seen the comment too many times 'we had never seen a fox' or 'we have 6' fences, we didn't think a fox could get in' posted by people who found out the hard way. The Foxwatch is (in my opinion) really effective at deterring foxes from using your garden as a pathway or from hanging around the chickens, but it won't keep them off altogether. Very sound advice, Olly. I wish someone had told us, when we got our two hens, that it is not a question of "if", but "when" a fox will strike. Actually we were aware of the possibility of fox attack and never left them completely unattended when ranging free, but didn't always stay very close to the hens, perhaps watching them from a distance or wandering down to the house from time to time. Big mistake. We have since replaced the dear hen we lost to Mr Fox in August, and now our hens only range free with one of us wandering around the garden with them. I feel sorry that they can't spend more time ranging free, but I don't want to lose any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 10, 2009 Share Posted November 10, 2009 I have 2 Foxwatches and 2 cats - no effect whatsoever on my moggies or next doors.. That's it - I've ordered one. We can't watch them every minute they are outside, so it makes sense to have a Foxwatch. There are foxes locally, but they tend not to come in our garden after it came off second-best in an encounter with our cat. Nevertheless, it makes sense to take some precautions to protect the chickens, although a determined fox will get through. I'm hoping DH will permit a WIR and then I'll feel happier at leaving them in the run more of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ's Chooks Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Just out of interest... where did you get it from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Just out of interest... where did you get it from? I ordered mine through Amazon as they are cheaper than buying from Foxwatch direct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 Or Primrose - free delivery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I got mine from Primrose. Anyway - my 2p worth. I don't rely on my Foxwatch 100% but it is another line of defence. However, what it does do is stop me waking at the sound of every noise in the night. When I first got the girls I had 2 weeks of hardly any sleep as I thought every noise was a visit from the local fox. It's just given me the ability to 'switch off'. The battery ran out the other week and I could not nip out to get any for a couple of nights - back to virtually no sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troyca Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I have bought one -and I am having a WIR. There are so many foxes around here i don't want the hens being intimidated. Plus which I thought if it can take a few weeks to put them off[which it can apparently] I might prepare the way before the hens even take up residence. I think it is what you might call a belt and braces approach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 11, 2009 Share Posted November 11, 2009 I see it as one weapon in the armory, not the whole solution. Nevertheless, this, combined with people walking through the garden all the time (my DH's workshop is in the garage and he and his brother are in and out all day), plus three cats, at least one of whom is willing to take on a fox, should do the business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docsquid Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 I now have it installed. You can hear it clicking and I think both chickens and cats can also - they were trying to peck it today! I never see foxes, but then it's the ones you don't see that cause the problems. Just hoping it provides another layer of security for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 keep checking the blooming thing! I have 2 both have had to be replaced one was faulty and primrose said it wasn't. Both replaced by company direct no trouble at all, but could smell fox around the end of my garden and today noticed it only comes on if approach from the side. hmmmmm not so clever, so another one to be returned. Very tiresome indeed!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helen1962 Posted November 12, 2009 Author Share Posted November 12, 2009 hi All I now know what foxwatch is and due to all advice I am going to order one from Amazon today. After everyone's concerns I have confined the girls to the patio and shut the gate to the main garden. The patio I do know is completely fox proof as it is enclosed by a neighbour's and my own garage on one side and a conservatory on the other. The gate has very close fitting bars and scrolls that even cats can't get through and the side gate also has wire mesh secured to it. Even the frogs find it difficult to get from patio to main garden now! They have to squeeze under the garden gate. Girls aren't impressed though! My next question is what is WIR or am I just being thick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 you know foxes can climb do you? they can get over 8ft fence no problem and even negotiate trees! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 12, 2009 Share Posted November 12, 2009 My next question is what is WIR or am I just being thick? A Walk in run. Are you sure that the foxes can't into the garden> They can leap 6 ft easily and if there are dustbins, or similar to give them a stepping stone, they will have no problem climbing 8 ft walls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
