3happyhens Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 I'm fed up with foxes in our garden. Can't let my girls out to free range as it's too dangerous & feel it's a shame to confine them to run & Eglu Are fox repellents any good?? Advice please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 There is quite a bit of advice here. I sympathise, most of us who live in urban environments are plagued by foxes. By 'fox repellent' I take it you mean the sonic deterrents, like Foxwatch? You will hear mixed reviews on here, I am one of those who believes it works to deter foxes, but please note that it's only a deterrent - a determined and hungry fox will not be put off. I believe that using it regularly made the fox choose other paths, and stop hanging around the run and upsetting the hens, but it's no solution. My hens only free range if I'm around to supervise. Have you considered extending the run? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gongladosh Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 I use foxwatch - before I bought one, I was finding fox poo in my garden daily. Since I got a foxwatch 2 years ago, I've only seen fox poo twice in the area of the garden that the device is located. I do rate the foxwatch, but it's not a guarantee that foxes will not enter your garden, nor is it intended to be. I'm always in the garden when the hens are free ranging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFeatheredFiend Posted March 17, 2011 Share Posted March 17, 2011 Lots of foxes around here so we took no chances and erected a 10000v electric fence. HOPEFULLY it should be enough to protect the girls when they're freeranging, but we leave it on 24/7 anyway. Even when they're locked up in the cube at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 I'm fed up with foxes in our garden. Can't let my girls out to free range as it's too dangerous & feel it's a shame to confine them to run & Eglu Are fox repellents any good?? Advice please! Could you save up and buy a walk-in run so they have lots of space but are nice and safe? The problem with fox deterrants is you can spend a fortune on them but never know for sure that your hens are safe. The only way to be sure is to sit outside with them and be ready to chase off any foxes...or to fence them in a secure run where the fox can neither climb over or dig under. Do you know how and where they get into your garden? these are the spots you need to focus on as most foxes have a route they follow on their nightly patrol for something to eat. Urban foxes are a bigger issue than rural...a rural fox won't take risks as it needs to hunt, so dogs, electric fencing and sometimes even a very dominant cat can keep it at bay. An Urban fox, who scavenges rather than hunts, will try and push his luck for an extra special reward such as a chicken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lolimac Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 My chooks are only out of thier run when supervised as 'our' fox pops round during the day and he even brings his pal sometimes ! They are getting so cheeky these days that even when they see us they just stand and stare back at us.Luckily our chooks run (cluckingham palace) is a good size but i still like to see them out free rangeing...I've heard that if the man of the house needs to 'spend a penny' he should do so round the perimeter of your garden ...apparently this is meant to deter the foxes...my OH hasn't tried it yet what with the cold snap we've had but you never know if the weather keeps warming up he might give it a try...Don't tell the nieghbours!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
