Gordon Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I bought one of these in July/August. I set it up with new battery but it ticked continuously and the battery soon discharged. I put another in and the same thing happened. I contacted the supplier and they sent me another. However, the same thing is happening again. Has anyone sles had this sort of problem, please? My 'foxwatch' is placed the house-side of the chicken run, facing the run, and I usually only put it on at night. However, on occasions, I have left it on for two days if I have been away. The instructions say that a battery should last for about 12 weeks. This is not my experience at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Is it constantly detecting something e.g. the chickens? I only put mine on at night and run off batteries, but it only ticks when it detects something. It can run off the mains if you buy something extra. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Posted September 3, 2007 Author Share Posted September 3, 2007 The chickens constantly move in front of it all day, whilst in their run, but I did not think that would run down the batteries as it is designed to detect foxes. Am I mistaken here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I don't have a foxwatch, but from what i understand about it is, that movement sets it off. So when a fox comes within range, the audible (to foxes) alarm goes off, scaring it away. hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James H Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I have never bought a Foxwatch before, i wobder if they actually work or are usefull Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 Foxwatch is great - we've had no problems with foxes since we bought one. However, it is activated by any warm movement - including the chickens, although they can't hear it. We just put ours on at night before they go to bed and switch it off first thing in the morning. This way the battery lasts for ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 I've only just got mine, but as I understand it any warm-bodied movement will trigger it, so if it is in front of the chickens, they will set it off and it will use more battery. Only the fox can hear the alarm sound, but any animal (cat, chicken, dog) will trigger it off if they walk in front of it. I've got mine behind the Eglu, at the moment I'm leaving it on all the time because the local fox is so cheeky and bold. However it only ticks if I walk in front of it, not constantly. Try re-positioning it somewhere where the chickens won't set it off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 It will be the chickens setting it off. I think they do work against the fox...if I replace the batteries we never see one...if I don't...we do. You can get a mains adapter for the Foxwatch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernerchicks Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 I have just checked the Fox watch and it sounds very effective but my problem is the dogs we have. Apparently it really hurts their ears but not the chickens. Anyone with dogs been using it? I have had chockens for 15 years free ranging and in a wodden ark. But this summer w had so many killed by fox in daylight that I no longer dare free range. Suppose it might work if I only turned it on when hens were out in afternoon and tried to keep dogs in?? Lena PS how do you all get the lovely images of hens, cubes etc. I will have my first cube delivered soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 Hello Lena and welcome Take a look at this topic for details about your profile, scroll down a bit and all the details are there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 They say that it only affects foxes, not dogs. It certainly doesn't seem to bother my cat, I've noticed he avoids crossing its path but I think that is because of the red light and ticking noise - he doesn't seem to react if I set it off. Afraid I don't have dogs so I can't confirm that - but I'm sure there's somone on here who has both a dog and a Foxwatch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheshire Chooks Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 I thought it does affect dogs. We have 2 with mains adaptor and has banished foxes from garden-touching wood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 So it might banish my dogs from thr chicken area then? I paid £800 for a fence to keep the dogs away from the chickens and one of the dogs can jump it Twice now I've had to dash out to the distress calls of my chooks because my dog is chasing them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernerchicks Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Just to say my 2 Benese Mountain Dogs are totaly unaware of the foxgwach. The area covered seems fox free but I think I could do with 2 more to cover all garden! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernerchicks Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 So much for being cockey about fox free rom Fox wach. We tried to place it dead in front of the bins as the fox was driving us crazy with opening bins and spreading rubish everywhere. We woke up to the biggest mess ever after having heard some serious noice by the bins in the night. It seemed as if he had suffered the sound but carried on anyway. I am becoming fox obsessed soon. Please reassure me that more fox waches might frighten him away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 This is the 1st case I've heard of such boldness despite a Foxwatch, but I suppose they may be determined & endure the sound if the rewards seem worth it. Are you 100% satisfied that the gadget is functioning & set up as it should be? Or the fox may be deaf! It's incredible isn't it, the fact that it still targets the bins with a Foxwatch in place? Not very reassuring for giving your hens protection, perhaps electric fencing would be better for them? As you see, I'm in the next town, (& Harpenden born & bred ) and I know of a fox family that plague a garden there. No hens, but they wreck the lawn & pull rubbish about. I'll pm you to see if it's the same area, without being too specific. Best wishes in sorting this out, it must be a horrible problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 20, 2007 Share Posted October 20, 2007 Could you make your bins secure so that he gives up. Why not sprinkle some ...Get off My Garden... near the bins or get a male personage to wee around the bins.....that might put the fox off. There is also a product called ...Silent Roar... which is granulated lion poo, which although designed to deter cats, it is also reported to have some effect against foxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...