Couperman Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Has anyone employed a Heron Scarecrow as a fox deterrent? My brother has one fitted by his pond and it certainly deterred his dog, all the local cats, herons and his wife! If you're not familiar with it, it is basically a machine gun style water cannon opertated via an infra-red sensor. Anything that breaks the beam gets blasted with a volley of water jets. It would be fairly easy to hook up to a water butt. You would just have to make sure it doesn't administer any friendly fire on the chucks. ANy thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Hi there, I think there was a thread about this a while ago - try searching for 'heron water skooshy thing' . No seriously, I have heard of it but I just get OH to pee in the garden . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted May 5, 2007 Author Share Posted May 5, 2007 Does that really work? Couperwife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Not sure but I think guys like the 'risque-ness' of sneaking out the back door for a wee, that and the idea that they are protecting their flock Mind you, on the streets of Glasgow on a Saturday night its a fairly public affair . Also heard that tiger poo is a good fox deterrent . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Also heard that tiger poo is a good fox deterrent . But its a bit risky standing behind the tiger with a bucket! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted May 5, 2007 Author Share Posted May 5, 2007 sorry bit short of tiger poo, our tiger is very private and doesnt like to poo in public. couperwife Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted May 5, 2007 Share Posted May 5, 2007 Zoos used to give it away but don't think its allowed any more. You can buy 'essence of tiger poo' I think . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted May 5, 2007 Author Share Posted May 5, 2007 What a wonderful world we live in. I had no idea you could buy essence of tiger poo! What other wonderful delights does that shop sell? I mean, people used to chase foxes about on horseback with hundreds of dogs and they could have just reached for the essence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 Here is some info on granulated LION POO which some have found effective as a deterrent against foxes, but the manufacturers make no such claims as yet. Here is some info about a WATER SCARECROW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 I was going to say that it is LION poo, not tiger poo, but Egluntine has already done it for me. Heaven forbid that any of you should come home from the garden centre today with tiger poo by mistake. Lion poo was the only advice I was given by the RSPCA when I rang them about the sick, mangey (sometimes completely fur-free) urban foxes that patrol our street (two families born this year, in two separate back gardens). I did not find it helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 I've just read several articles on tiger poo being used as a repellant - many farmers in Australia use it (sorry don't know how to do links). Anyway, lion or tiger, its all a bit bizarre. I also get a friend who has huskies to walk them round my garden. Sadly, I don't think anything will deter a very determined fox . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted May 6, 2007 Author Share Posted May 6, 2007 I have also heard that hanging bags of hair clippings about the place acts as a deterrant presumably foxes are afraid of barbers. I am not sure if there are many foxes around this area, I have only ever seen one. I guess we will probably see more evidence of their presence once we get the hens, hopefully not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 I hadn't heard of the heron scarer before, so that made me laugh as an anti fox idea, although presumably it would also target the hens! But, I'm really posting because I'm worried that, whilst male pee (liked your post Fee ) and lion poo, and human hair may be deterrents, I can't bear the thought of anyone on the forum using them as foxproof protection. There's a difference, and why risk it? None of those things will stop a hungry fox if they know there are chickens, and believe me, if a fox (even one, or even if never been seen) is nearby it will know about the chickens. I'd hate anyone to find they had a fox problem when it was too late. It's up to everyone to weigh up their own risks, but please don't think that these methods offer 100% protection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 On the lion poo issue when we bought the house we now live in the previous owners had cats and as do the neighbours either side and they had a habit of leaving presents for us We bought a product called Silent Roar from the internet which came as pellets which you spread around the garden - it only took 2 packets and seemed to do the trick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted May 6, 2007 Author Share Posted May 6, 2007 Sheila, I couldn't agree more, I intend to make our Cube as secure as I possibly can. As a total newcomer I am just trying to glean some info on any possible deterrant to add to the fort Knox approach. It seems to me the biggest risk of suffering a fox attack would be if I forgot to secure the run in good time on an evening. This would be a bigger worry in the winter when it gets dark really early. I don't intend to let my hens out of the run unless we are around though. Thanks for all the advice eveyone, Couperman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 I agree 100% Sheila. I think it is useful to have deterrents, but a hungry fox is a determined fox and will not be put off by a few distractions, particularly a vixen with cubs to feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...