patsylabrador Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 We have an enormous fox pestering our chickens, he can't get in their run but they don't know that. Has anyone tried a scarecrow, if so, did it work? I wondered if the shape of a human in human smelling clothes would have any effect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doodledootoo Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 It might work - they don't like the smell of humans (apparently) but what may be more effective is to get your dog or a friend's dog to take a walk around your garden a few times and cock it's leg every where (as dogs do). Foxes hate the smell of dogs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 I just read about a product called 'scoot', which replicates the scent mark of foxes. We always have little piles of fox poo dotted around so I'm wondering if this would work. Has anyone tried it, I found out about it on a site called foxolutions which is quite interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wantchooks Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Hmmm....I have been told that human urine of the male variety sprayed around the periphery also scares off foxes...... Leave you with that thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 that seems to work, as long as you keep the smells... fresh! Also mens worn socks, and hair clippings. (ask the barber i suppose!) Hmmm....I have been told that human urine of the male variety sprayed around the periphery also scares off foxes...... Leave you with that thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henriette Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Hmmm....I have been told that human urine of the male variety sprayed around the periphery also scares off foxes...... Leave you with that thought That seems to be quite a common thought. Certainly worth a try (maybe not if it's freezing cold though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henhathnofury Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I haven't used Scoot but I have heard from other people that it seems to be effective. We have two foxwatch devices and although we have had foxes in the garden, there is no evidence to suggest that foxes have been anywhere near the girls. A hungry fox though is a determined creature. Fencing is usually the only option...to make it as unpleasant and difficult for him/her to get into your garden..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Funny....since we got new neighbours just before Christmas, with two enormous GSDs, there have been no sightings of the fox. I have used Scoot. It smells very strongly of Citronella, and so far as one can tell, seems to work. It does wash away with the rain though, so isn't a cheap option. Some have found **Silent Roar**, which is essentially granulated lion poo, successful in detering foxes, although the manufacturers make no such claim....it shifts cats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneyolktoanother Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 i have heard of scarecrows working but have'nt tried it myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 It depends on the size & type of your run? I found that 2 Foxwatches protected my quite large WIR (until OH cut the wire of one by mistake). The fox couldn't get in, but he did terrify them & then snapped some feathers through the mesh. So, I have since put a layer of wire on the inside to stop the hens leaning against the sides & reinstated the 2nd Foxwatch. He hasn't been near the run since, although I know he visits the far side of the garden frequently. I'd say a working Foxwatch is a very good deterent unless the fox spots an actual opportunity. I can't see that a Scarecrow would help one bit, having seen the determined and cunning actions of this fox. He was grinning like the pictures in "The Gingerbread Man"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Foxes run past my Mum while she's in her garden so I doubt that a scarecrow would do much to be honest. Plus some people have had their chickens taken whist they're standing outside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gelbel Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hmmm....I have been told that human urine of the male variety sprayed around the periphery also scares off foxes...... Leave you with that thought That seems to be quite a common thought. Certainly worth a try (maybe not if it's freezing cold though The DH is orrdered to do this every weekend. Seems to work for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsylabrador Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Thanks for all your replies, I have sent out the men forthwith, there are three here so they can share the duties. However, we were out for the day and when we got back, there was the fox. The chickens were panicking in the run and poor Persephone had blood down her front and the bleeding seemed to be coming from her nose, we cleaned her up and she seems ok. I think she crashed into something in her panic. My question now is this - when we originally got their coop it was one of those wooden, rectangular ones with a run attached and wood top to bottom on one end and half the back. We put this in the middle of the WIR, so I reckon it would be a good idea to shut them in there when everyone is out. That way, they have places to hide especially if I put more wood round it and hopefully will panic less. My worry is that they will panic the same but in a more confined space. What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
