One Man Banned Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 We've had the laydees for over a year now with no problems with foxes here. In a strange coincidence Joe has just walked Molly and came across a fox on the path that runs behind our house - as the city has flooded. He wasn't bothered by Joe but did scamper off when Molly went near.... I guess that the little blighter has been flooded out of home and come to a dry area thinking of setting up home. Just closed the run and, unusually for us, the Eglu door and hope they are secure tonight and the next few nights. Do you think it's worth me getting something like a foxwatch? Feel nervous about leaving them free range while we're at work now as I guess the foxes are pretty hungry it wouldn't be wise to leave the girls in any way vulnerable. Just when we'd breathed a sigh of relief about the flooding, now this! I feel like I could cry. A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted July 24, 2007 Share Posted July 24, 2007 Oh no Andrew, poor you. I'd definitely leave them in the run whilst you're out - at least for now. Hopefully when the land dries up again they will go back to their usual haunts. They will only hang around where the food is easier to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina C Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I agree with Snowy - keep them in. Hopefully the foxes will return to their own territory when the floods have subsided, but be very careful. Foxes aren't called cunning for nothing, are they? Their sense of smell will have told them there is potential food in your garden and they may return in future when they are hungry? Oh dear - its not been a good week so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I agree too. He will be hungry and his usual hunting ground may well be under water. Better safe than sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 I know exactly how you feel Andrew, seeing that fox on top of our eglu really worried me......I would keep them in, better to be safe than sorry......On that note I found out yesterday that we have a male and female and 4 cubs next door but one ........Good job their garden is the size of a small park lol Word of warning dont buy the fox deterrent from B&Q, which reminds me it has to go back today........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Word of warning dont buy the fox deterrent from B&Q, which reminds me it has to go back today........ Which one Karl? And why not? (Sorry, that was not meant to be a Barry Norman impersonation!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starboyhull Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 They have several in B&Q the one I got was the "sonic Fox Repeller" (they customer service lady did warn me not to get it, as they always come back) but me wanting to feel more safe about letting the girls out i decided to ignore her and buy it anyway, well it is supposed to deter dogs, cats and foxes (I assume the frequency changes) so I set it up faced it away from the house towards the eglu....... We then let the dogs out and they just sniffed it and sat with the hens right in front of it but I left it there and thought it might still work for foxes, but then it started making this awful noise (my mum and her fiance couldnt here it) but Andy and me could and it was awful, still didnt bother the dogs though, but did start setting the house alarm off.......I gave up and put it back in its box, I think you really do get what you pay for, I was trying to be tight and save money....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffie Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 Hi Andrew, lovely to have you around and the habitat being affected by flooding has caused this no doubt. I'd leave them in the run whilst you're out and get a fox watch. I can't be certain but we have a fox watch and never had a prob. People in the village have all lost hens. Hugs BBxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainboarddude Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 i have a problem with foxes a they are living about 10 metres away from my chickens. i see them almost every day and have given up with trying to deter them, we have tried urine, human hair, jeyes fluid, renadin and nothing has worked, so we just have to keep a close eye on the chooks and we have to be out with the girls if they are free ranging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 There is a positive side-you've found the foxes before they got to your chickens. I would take it as a sign to be extra cautious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutechicky Posted July 25, 2007 Share Posted July 25, 2007 keep them in! I have had many experiences with foxes and believe me, they will give your chickens no mercy! From the sound of it, they are hungry and probably, will do anything to find food! Also...it's better to be safe than sorry... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neal & ella Posted July 26, 2007 Share Posted July 26, 2007 We've just lost one of our bantams to a fox after a year of being fox free. When we moved into the house 18 months ago they visited the garden but our two Australian Kelpies soon put them off. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of opening up the run fairly early in the morning then she sneaked in while I was out with the dogs. I've resorted to the urine around the hedge routine but also only let them free-range after 8 o'clock or so when I've returned from walking the dogs. I've even considered buying a separate kennel for our "Ooops, word censored!", Amber, and putting it in the orchard where the bantams are as she is very protective of them. I think she'd get a bit fed up of being on permanent duty though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted July 28, 2007 Share Posted July 28, 2007 They have several in B&Q the one I got was the "sonic Fox Repeller" (they customer service lady did warn me not to get it, as they always come back) but me wanting to feel more safe about letting the girls out i decided to ignore her and buy it anyway, well it is supposed to deter dogs, cats and foxes (I assume the frequency changes) so I set it up faced it away from the house towards the eglu....... We then let the dogs out and they just sniffed it and sat with the hens right in front of it but I left it there and thought it might still work for foxes, but then it started making this awful noise (my mum and her fiance couldnt here it) but Andy and me could and it was awful, still didnt bother the dogs though, but did start setting the house alarm off.......I gave up and put it back in its box, I think you really do get what you pay for, I was trying to be tight and save money....... Which one did you buy in the end Karl? We are thinking about getting one just on case as the boys and Bibble will shortly have permanent big runs like the chooks but theirs will be backing directly onto the bridle path & field & I just want to be safe rather than sorry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
