Olly Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 (edited) Well, obviously not in my case as I looked up the garden at 7.00 am and saw a large ginger-coated gentleman worrying the side of the Eglu. I rushed up and scared him off, there were paw-prints over the top of the Eglu and the plastic Ikea shower-curtain has been gnawed. Two rather excited chickens, but no harm done. Now, I know there is a fox around, so they are NEVER let out unsupervised, and I bought a Foxwatch and set it up last week. I noticed it was only coming on if I was within three feet or so, and have been meaning to check it out. This morning I moved it and sited it behind the Eglu to cover the area where the fox comes in, and it seemed to be working at a slightly longer range. Before I ring the suppliers, does anyone have advice about where to position it - was it too close to a tree and shrubs before, and would that stop it working? I am not convinced it's covering the range or distance that they promise, but want to be sure before I start complaining! Should it flash red if I walk in front of it? Is the angle really as wide as they say? I know lots of you have these, so I'd be grateful for any advice - I'm very disappointed so far, as I was hoping this would deter Inspector Fox from visiting my ladies. Edited September 1, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 They do say that it is supposed to train the fox over time, that it learns to avoid the noise over (weeks?) It flashes red when you walk in front of it, definately should be working over more than 3 feet. I don't know about trees/shrubs-were they in front of it? The supplier would know better about that. Does it beep when you turn it on, or do you have it on constantly, just wondering if the battery was OK if you're using batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted August 29, 2007 Author Share Posted August 29, 2007 well I've never seen one in action, but I tested it again last night and it flashed red if I was about two feet away, but definitely not any further, and not the 40' they promise! I don't think it was the battery, as it is supposed to beep constantly when that is running out. I rang the supplier, and after a short conversation "In what way is it not working?" "Well, there was a fox on top of the chicken-run yesterday" we agreed that the sensor is probably faulty. I am going to send it back and they will repair or replace it. I want to persevere, as they have had good reports from others on here. I will let you know, probably going to be a couple of weeks till I get the new one. I weighted the skirt of the run with some bricks last night, just in case the foxy gentleman returns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy-Mama Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 Hope your chooks are not too upset by the visit. Let us know how you get on with the replacement, I have been thinking about getting one but need to measure the garden to make sure it will only operate in my garden area and not affect dogs etc outside my garden first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted August 29, 2007 Share Posted August 29, 2007 I like your answer to them I've never noticed it beep constantly (is this audible or not?), although I only put on at night. I notice an absence of the audible beep or weaker noise if the battery is going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 1, 2007 Author Share Posted September 1, 2007 Grrr - sent the defective Foxwatch back to the supplier on Thursday, and resigned myself to a couple of weeks wait for a replacement. On Friday I discovered a pile of fox poo IN FRONT of the Eglu Top marks for customer service to Primrose - a new Foxwatch arrived this morning, to my amazement and delight. This one is definitely working at distances of more than 6 feet. I've installed it behind the Eglu, which is where the fox comes into the garden, I'm tempted to sit up all night in the hope of spotting the little blighter (substitute for ruder word) clap his paws over his ears and scamper off. I'm off to wash the paw-prints off the Eglu, as this is one way to know if he's been back or not. Jen Jen - as far as I know, it is only supposed to affect foxes, not cats or dogs. My cat didn't seem bothered by it when I tested it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 Good luck Olly, i hope it works out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...