The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: bealers on May 03, 2013, 10:02:23 pm

Title: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: bealers on May 03, 2013, 10:02:23 pm

Hi,

We've a large pond (30x15m) in our garden and the plan is to get our new ex-bat flock (last 15 eaten by fox last month) set up alongside one edge so they have direct access to water. I'm confident I can fence and electrify the boundary but I just had the thought that Mr/Mrs/Junior sly could just swim over from the other bank.

Will they?

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: mojocafa on May 03, 2013, 10:08:58 pm

I believe that fixes can swim however I'm sure someone will come along soon that will know for sure
Mojo

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: YorkshireLass on May 03, 2013, 10:09:06 pm

They can if they want to - I've seen photos of a fox swimming out in a nature reserve's lake to steal eggs from the island, the sly little sod.

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: bigchicken on May 03, 2013, 10:27:49 pm

If they cant find a way they will and if it involves swimming so be it.

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: SallyintNorth on May 03, 2013, 10:30:25 pm

I had ducks seemed to be safe roosting on an island... until the pond froze, and then we saw the foxy tracks across the ice... :o

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: HesterF on May 03, 2013, 11:59:53 pm

As a child I saw one swim across a river to get away from the hunt (not a fan of hunting since witnessing that one).

Oh, and haven't you ever read The LIttle Gingerbread Man  :D?

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: Pipsa on May 04, 2013, 01:16:13 pm

I saw a fox swimming a couple of years ago ... in order to get to a small island where there
were chickens, ducks etc.

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: in the hills on May 04, 2013, 02:45:30 pm

Yep, seen them swimming. Think it might put them off but they could def. swim out if they set their minds on it. If it froze, then ........  :o

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: Bionic on May 04, 2013, 03:57:46 pm

I watched a nature programme a long time ago where they showed how a fox gets rid of their fleas. They take a leaf in the mouth swim out and then go under the water until the last thing left above the surface is the tip of their nose. Apparently as they go into the water the fleas go up the body and onto the leaf. At the very end they duck right under, letting go of the leaf and leaving the fleas adrift on the leaf.

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: in the hills on May 04, 2013, 07:39:54 pm

 :roflanim:  Is that true?  I like it.  ;D

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: sabrina on May 05, 2013, 11:09:30 am

One of my friends had a terrible time with a fox taking hens during the day. He said it was hard to know who was watching who as this fox seemed to stake him out and as soon as he went inside would sneak back round for another hen he had killed earlier. In the end friend spent an afternoon hiding and watch the fox circle round making his way to the ducks. he shot it but only because it was so intent on getting a duck that he managed to get it in his line of fire. Told me he had never know a fox watch his every move and seem to know what he would be doing at certain times of the day.

Title: Re: Can/do foxes swim?
Post by: northfifeduckling on May 06, 2013, 03:57:57 pm

yes, they swim for their dinner if they must. A friend lost some geese  being taken from the river while he watched....the fox had come from the other side. :&>