What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Nicho]

We had an early morning wake up call this morning at 4:30 from my next door neighbour who had been woken by a fox in our garden trying to get at the chickens.

 

Fortunately all the girls were in the eglu. We have the eglu and run inside a larger run so hopefully they are safe but we also have rabbits, although hopefully I have secured them in. Ours is not a full walk in run and is on soil but I was thinking that if I edge it in stone slabs this might prevent Foxy McFox from digging under.

 

My question is this. Does anyone know of an effective fox deterrant which I can use to further secure our run. I am new to chicken keeping and want to do everything in my power to protect my girls. don't want to have to rely on my neighbours waking up.

 

I have looked online and most deterrants I have found are for all animals, but as we have cats I can't use sonic scarers.

[docsquid]

We have a Foxwatch and three cats and the cats don't notice it at all. However it is only a deterrant, it can't be guaranteed to keep foxes away.

[lillybettybabs]

It's very hard as rabbit have VERY sensitive hearing, I know dog pee keeps them away, also growing strong

scented plants can help.

[migsy]

If you have any males in the family get them to wee around your boundaries. You can also hang up human hair around the boundaries in stockings (I'm going to the hairdresser in a few minutes and I'm sure she will think I'm nuts asking for hair!). If you live near a zoo, I've heard that lion dung works. How about electric fencing but it is expensive? Omlet sells it.

[miss_spent]

My Foxwatch has arrived today. I know the fox came in earlier in the week to check out our new aviary, so to protect the aviary and Eglu I got one. I know there are varied views on how effective it is, but I am prepared to give it a go, if only so I don't worry every night!

 

I will let you know if there is any further evidence of foxes of if it seems to work

[Egluntyne]

Electric fencing is your best bet. Your cats will soon learn to give it a wide berth.

[lillybettybabs]

Electric fencing is your best bet. Your cats will soon learn to give it a wide berth.

It's is, My girls can FR alot more without me worring now, I just have to keep an eye on my oldest lab as he clears

the fence and eats the chickens food (thankfully not the chickens)

[Nicho]

Thanks I'll look at the fox watch thing if it will work and won't affect the other animals.

 

Love the idea of using Lion dung. Am visiting the zoo on Friday so I'll have to see if they sell it in the gift shop.

 

Better than what my dad used to do when I was younger to deter the foxes. His method was to sit by the attic room window, with his rifle and telescopic sight all ready for when Mr Fox appeared. On problem was that to pass the time he had a regular supply of home brewed best bitter on the go so by the time any fox would appear he was too sozzled to do anything about it.

[THF Nick]

Human urine around your border seems to work well. Not pleasant pee'ing in jar and "watering" the garden but it seems to keep Mr Fox at bay.

[Burtie14]

Human urine around your border seems to work well. Not pleasant pee'ing in jar and "watering" the garden but it seems to keep Mr Fox at bay.

 

Jar?? I've been wazzing directly onto the ground around the run. The girls do seem tremendously interested whenever I perform my duty...

 

Our Foxwatch seems to be working. It's situated at the doorway of the chooks' run, facing outwards. We did initally have it facing the run, but woke up to a big manky fox staring in at them at 5am - and a lot of fuss all round. Since we moved it, haven't seen a foxy.

 

As a caution though, I read a really sensible post on here recently, which said that if you put yourself in a fox's shoes - you're hungry, your cubs are hungry too, and there's fresh dinner wandering around in front of you - it's going to have to be something pretty substantial to put you off. Unless you physically can't get at them, then the chances are you'll persevere. Definitely go with the concrete slabs would be my advice.

[Alis girls]

Thank goodness its summer you could get frostbite if it wasnt - and dont get done for indescent exposure. My OH refused to pee in the garden but we havent seen a fox yet so will put on hold. I didnt know foxes wore shoes sorry in a silly mood - I will go now before I am banned from forum