Krysia Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 This morning hubby came down to find a fox sniffing around the chicks They are 5 1/2 weeks old now and split over 2 Eglu's and runs on the patio (So no way of digging under ) He then went to the home made enclosure to check the girls were ok. ( We have a the cube in a home made run Concrete paths to 2 sides and very old hedging with masses of roots on the other two sides so we always thought it would be safe) They were happily tucking inot breakfast without a care in the world. So Mr Fox there is no point visiting us agaon as there is nothing for you! I am just glad that everyone survived as we could have woken up to much worse. Hubby is asking Santa for an air rifle this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 What a triumph! I'm glad all your girls survived the visit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Hubby is asking Santa for an air rifle this year! i can really imagine what a worry seeing a fox around your chickens must be but I do hope that was a joke about the air rifle- I can't understand compassion for one species and contempt for another. I'd invest in a foxwatch or some other deterrents, it really upsets me to read about people wanting to shoot animals and quite probably injure them horribly, what a cruel thing to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 [ i can really imagine what a worry seeing a fox around your chickens must be but I do hope that was a joke about the air rifle- I can't understand compassion for one species and contempt for another. I'd invest in a foxwatch or some other deterrents, it really upsets me to read about people wanting to shoot animals and quite probably injure them horribly, what a cruel thing to do. I guess you have never had rats then Poet? I am happy for Hubby to shot them, & would do it myself too,if I had the patience for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted October 31, 2007 Author Share Posted October 31, 2007 Sorry Poet Fox's are vermin and also disease spreaders. He is serious about the Gun (Has recently been looking at getting a license anyway as he wants to shoot pheasants, he currently 'beats' for the 'guns' and brings pheasant home for dinner) I'm with you cinnamon although patience wouldn't bother me just my dreadful aim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 if I had rats, I'd call the expert exterminators in so there would be as little suffering as possible but firstly i'd deter them as much as i could- we don't leave any food lying around at night to attract rats- it gets put in the shed and DH brushes up any spilt mash. I think a gun in inexperienced hands is a terrible thing, if you must kill an animal then do it quickly and as painlessly as possible. If you can do that with an air gun then fair enough. I just think an air gun could cause terrible injuries and suffering and i would never wish that on ANY living thing, rat, fox or whatever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 The way I see it, & yes The Hubby is a dab hand with his airgun, is that poison causes horrible suffering to the animal. The fact that I am inexperienced with a gun is exactly why I leave such manly things up to him When we had rat trouble a month or so ago the council rat man came over, & when I told him we had been shooting them he said good, thats how it should be done. Its a slightly different situation with Foxes I know, as they are just nicer creatures,but I live in the country & shooting foxes happens here,however much I might not like the idea of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 well, if you really can't go down the detterant route with the fox then I hope your hubbie gets some shooting lessons for Christmas too. Sorry, I just can't bare the thought of anything suffering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Krysia, that's a good example of how the patio paving has proved a good base for safety, I'm glad that your chicks were unharmed & apparently unruffled too. I'm just thinking that, although the fox has had digging plans thwarted (hurray!), he may still become a regular visitor, which may disturb your chickens in future. Maybe a Foxwatch would be a good idea anyway? Very pleased that the run was safe for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Unfortunately, removing the fox whether by shooting or otherwise, isn't usually successful for long - another fox will move into the vacated territory. There was a TV programme earlier this year about urban foxes where that was proved very clearly, and there is some research on it somewhere but I can't find the link. The point I'm trying to make is, leaving aside the shoot/don't shoot debate, the best thing is to make sure your girls are securely locked up at night! I know there have been rare cases of foxes breaching the Eglu defences, but I am very confident that mine are ok in theirs, very glad that yours were safe Krysia. I recommend a Foxwatch - might just put him off, it's certainly worked for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krysia Posted November 1, 2007 Author Share Posted November 1, 2007 Poet just to set your mind at rest we have no intention of simply hurting a fox as revenge. As I say hubby was looking into getting a license anyway so would be doing it properly. Like Cinnamon's my Hubby is a great shot. He had a private school education and shooting was one of the sports they did. At places like the cheshire show where they let you go clay pigeon shooting it's always funny. They often allow you another free go if you hit all your targets and they normally have to tell him to 'go now please' as he always gets a fantastic shot. We would never shoot simply for fun and agree it can be very irresponsible if not carried out properly. We are also looking into alternatives like Foxwatch etc and will do all we can to protect our girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
