Eglu Go With 2m Run For Sale

[migsy]

I've had my 3 chickens for 3 days and they have just started free-ranging in the garden. I live in an urban area where there are foxes. The garden is completely enclosed by a 6 foot fence. Do you think they will be safe free-ranging during the day or should I only let them do it if I am in the garden (which is not that much). I'd put them in the run when I go out but I work from home mostly so I can keep an eye on them.

[sadietoo]

I think I can confidently say and others will back me up...

 

No, six foot fences are no defence against Fantastic Mr Fox ( and even less so against Urban Foxes who defy all the rules about how close they should get to humans etc)

 

My personal advice is to only free range when you are actually in the garden with them. There is a sticky about fox attacks on here, it makes for hair-raising reading....but I suggest you look through it so that you can see how the rest of us have come unstuck....

[Olly]

I'm afraid I have to agree - 6' fences are no bar to an agile fox, and even though you are in the house they won't be deterred by that. As suggested, take a look at the 'fox attacks' thread to get an idea of what can happen. I supervise free ranging, but I get loads of gardening done at the same time, and sometimes I sit in the garden surfing the forum, so it's not too difficult to give them plenty of free time.

[chicken bark]

I think I can confidently say and others will back me up...

 

No, six foot fences are no defence against Fantastic Mr Fox ( and even less so against Urban Foxes who defy all the rules about how close they should get to humans etc)

 

Backing up here!

 

Be as vigilant as you can if they are free ranging. I'd only worry less if they are in a WIR or behind an electric fence.

[figarogir1]

I'm afraid I have 6ft fences all round and an urban fox in my garden every night, sorry

[Adams Egg]

I have been free ranging for 2 years and never a sight of a fox in any nearby gardens in the day, we hear them at night. Even during the last two winters with snow on the ground for days, no footprints. However just last Saturday at 9 a.m. when I would normally have had them out and about by then, there as bold as brass was a huge dog fox, the size of an alsatian!

He was sitting by the eglu munching on a coconut stuffed with lard and seed stolen from the kindly neighbours who insit on feeding anything that moves. (Mostly rats and pigeons!)

The hens had somehow not noticed him. He was sent on his way by the 8 yr old who was hurling the feet from his gruffalo costume! Never trust a fox, they can climb better than a cat and even an 8 foot fence was no trouble. DS now has a cricket ball to hand and with bowling figures of 5 for 12 off 9 overs I don't fancy the fox.

Best advice, supervised free ranging with a glass of chilled something

[squidsin]

I have 6 foot fences and let them FR for a couple of hours in the day. It's not possible for me to sit in the garden the whole time as I have a toddler and stuff to do, but I stay on that side of the house and keep an eye and ear out for them. It's always a balancing act, weighing the benefits of FRing against fox risk. You can only do what you think is best.

[sandyhas3chucks]

I have been free ranging for 2 years and never a sight of a fox in any nearby gardens in the day, we hear them at night. Even during the last two winters with snow on the ground for days, no footprints. However just last Saturday at 9 a.m. when I would normally have had them out and about by then, there as bold as brass was a huge dog fox, the size of an alsatian!

He was sitting by the eglu munching on a coconut stuffed with lard and seed stolen from the kindly neighbours who insit on feeding anything that moves. (Mostly rats and pigeons!)

Never trust a fox, they can climb better than a cat and even an 8 foot fence was no trouble. DS now has a cricket ball to hand and with bowling figures of 5 for 12 off 9 overs I don't fancy the fox.

Best advice, supervised free ranging with a glass of chilled something

Ditto the others 8ft no defence!!!

And suimilare experience though KNOWN they are close from the outset!

I am considering an electric fence

[migsy]

Seems my fence is little use then! It is a shame because I think their life must be boring in the run and I wonder whether it is best to give them a riskier but more interesting life. There is no way I can stay in the garden for any length of time as I work all day and have 3 kids so there is just too much to do. I think I might get a Foxwatch as from what I hear, they seem to work.

[scarlettohara]

I'm afraid I have 6ft fences all round and an urban fox in my garden every night, sorry

 

Me too and I learnt the hard way - I had my 3 two weeks and 2 were killed by a fox. Mine only free range when I am in the garden or conservatory (where I have a laptop) and with my terriers in the garden with them

[migsy]

OK! You have convinced me. No unsupervised FRing.

[Unit]

Best advice, supervised free ranging with a glass of chilled something

Sounds like a plan!

 

I've been thinking about this and whilst we've every intention of strengthening the defenses (our fences are slightly dilapidated) I have determined to err on the side of caution and only allow the girls out when we're supervising once they join our family.

 

I'm lucky to work shifts in some respects as this means my partner will be home evenings & weekends to keep an eye on things and I'll have some mornings and weekdays off to enjoy supervised free-ranging.

 

Having walked out the front door one morning to be greeted by a fox (not sure who was most surprised at the confrontation) I'm under no illusion that we're in an urban environment that is fox-free. There're also telltale signs of digging under fences that suggest we have a nighttime visitor.

 

So, I'll get the 'something' chilled ready, as Adams Egg suggests!

[Ophelia]

I used to get foxes in my garden (as they live in the garages behind the garden) before I got my girlies. I put 6 foot fences up and got a great big rottweiler. No foxes have chanced a visit yet but I did see one sat on the roof of a car looking wishfully in last weekend.