The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Other => Topic started by: SophieLeeds on August 20, 2014, 09:09:29 am
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This past few years we've had an increasing problem with the number of foxes about. I can look out the kitchen window any time of day and see at least 2-3 on our land, and as many as six at any point in the evening.
Last year one got into the chicken hut and had a mass massacre of 20 birds (didn't even eat one!). Oddly enough it didn't touch any of the ducks which were also in the hut that night- must have picky tastes!
I've also had to bash one around the yard with a rake to try retrieve a chicken from its mouth, and it didn't let go without a five minute fight!
Last week I caught one in the field with two of my boars- Mr Foxes outcome wasn't great.
Getting to the point that I'm now struggling to sleep as the dogs are going bananas all hours of the night when the fox sits under the windows howling >:( The dogs do keep them away to a certain degree, but I'm having to bring them in at night as someone local complained when they're barking at the foxes.
The neighbour across the road puts out pies and chicken breasts to feed them, even still does it after I turned up on her doorstep with a sack of dead chickens and told her what she's causing. (Nightmare neighbour from hell- want to try avoiding her if at all possible).
Is anyone else experiencing a HUGE increase in the number of them? Also, is it just Yorkshire foxes, or are they all getting unbelievably brazen? And how are people dealing with them?
Can anyone clarify the legalities on getting rid of them? We've had a few attempts at a variety of methods that I won't detail incase its considered naughty ;D
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Will the council pest control officer not help if you explain this neighbour is feeding them?
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Will the council pest control officer not help if you explain this neighbour is feeding them?
The council say they don't approve of 'lethal control' of foxes and can only recommend we buy 'liquid deterrents' which we can't do because we have four dogs, all of which are working dogs and need to be able to access the land :(
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You can legally kill them on your own land by either shooting, or trapping them. No doubt there is someone in your local area who would oblige. . . . if you were local to me i'd jump at the chance. Most likely it's a litter of this years cubs.
P.S - Your local council sound like morons.
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You can legally kill them on your own land by either shooting, or trapping them. No doubt there is someone in your local area who would oblige. . . . if you were local to me i'd jump at the chance. Most likely it's a litter of this years cubs.
P.S - Your local council sound like morons.
We've had a go at shooting them before but it seems that as soon as you get rid of one, they bring another vixen in to make their numbers up. Also have to tread very carefully because above mentioned neighbour would have a heart attack if she knew and make life awkward. I'm looking for more of a longer term deterrent- if such exists?
I don't dare leave the dogs out at night now, as I read that if more than one dog is seen chasing a fox then it's classed as hunting and you can be prosecuted- does anyone know if this is true? I don't want the dogs to maim anything, I just think they'd be our best shot at putting the foxes off coming on the land
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Found these websites.
http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/431/pest_control/16/help_with_fox_problems (http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/431/pest_control/16/help_with_fox_problems)
http://www.primrose.co.uk/pest-control-repellers-c-24_197.html?source=googleads&gclid=Cj0KEQjwjtGfBRCN4-LU9ODG1-wBEiQAy_Xp7_zGlSKIML831doxAnoi8eysdwvnA8kiPS0niDqqULQaAgsn8P8HAQ (http://www.primrose.co.uk/pest-control-repellers-c-24_197.html?source=googleads&gclid=Cj0KEQjwjtGfBRCN4-LU9ODG1-wBEiQAy_Xp7_zGlSKIML831doxAnoi8eysdwvnA8kiPS0niDqqULQaAgsn8P8HAQ)
http://www.easylifegroup.com/product/fox-repellent/3494?gclid=Cj0KEQjwjtGfBRCN4-LU9ODG1-wBEiQAy_Xp76vuTWs8y0v8_mzpBqWN765U5GKytzbW1LXju6gTAQkaAumz8P8HAQ (http://www.easylifegroup.com/product/fox-repellent/3494?gclid=Cj0KEQjwjtGfBRCN4-LU9ODG1-wBEiQAy_Xp76vuTWs8y0v8_mzpBqWN765U5GKytzbW1LXju6gTAQkaAumz8P8HAQ)
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Found these websites.
http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/431/pest_control/16/help_with_fox_problems (http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/431/pest_control/16/help_with_fox_problems)
http://www.primrose.co.uk/pest-control-repellers-c-24_197.html?source=googleads&gclid=Cj0KEQjwjtGfBRCN4-LU9ODG1-wBEiQAy_Xp7_zGlSKIML831doxAnoi8eysdwvnA8kiPS0niDqqULQaAgsn8P8HAQ (http://www.primrose.co.uk/pest-control-repellers-c-24_197.html?source=googleads&gclid=Cj0KEQjwjtGfBRCN4-LU9ODG1-wBEiQAy_Xp7_zGlSKIML831doxAnoi8eysdwvnA8kiPS0niDqqULQaAgsn8P8HAQ)
http://www.easylifegroup.com/product/fox-repellent/3494?gclid=Cj0KEQjwjtGfBRCN4-LU9ODG1-wBEiQAy_Xp76vuTWs8y0v8_mzpBqWN765U5GKytzbW1LXju6gTAQkaAumz8P8HAQ (http://www.easylifegroup.com/product/fox-repellent/3494?gclid=Cj0KEQjwjtGfBRCN4-LU9ODG1-wBEiQAy_Xp76vuTWs8y0v8_mzpBqWN765U5GKytzbW1LXju6gTAQkaAumz8P8HAQ)
Thanks Doganjo- have purchased couple of 'fox scarers' that I'll turn on when the dogs arent outside :thumbsup: :fc:
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Under the Hunting Act, to purposefully hunt a fox with more than two dogs, is illegal. But it is extremely unlikely you would get prosecuted if they chased a fox in your own garden. . . . accidents happen!
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Under the Hunting Act, to purposefully hunt a fox with more than two dogs, is illegal. But it is extremely unlikely you would get prosecuted if they chased a fox in your own garden. . . . accidents happen!
I shall let the dogs out for their nighttime toilet then :innocent:
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I shall let the dogs out for their nighttime toilet then :innocent:
Yep, just like we do around here. Coincidentally, as do one or two others around the same time! :innocent:
(http://i62.tinypic.com/anxw5u.jpg)
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Being as they are semi-tame a fox trap with aforementioned chicken breast would work well. A silenced .410 out the bathroom window could work wonders without endangering or disturbing those of an excitable disposition nearby.
If the dogs were to catch one - as unfortunate and regrettable a situation as that would be it would either escape to kill another chicken another day or end up very, very dead. Maiming is less likely with dogs than gun IMO. Good luck with your pests (2 and 4 legged)
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I would be inclined to shoot my neighbour!! (only joking ;D) My DIL is desperate because her neighbour puts out food for RATS!!! She thinks they're sweet ::)
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Savoury.
WHAT!? Can't "Like" my own posts? Disgusting! :roflanim:
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Look on line for pigeon shooter clubs/ websites or perhaps go to the local feed merchants and see about leaving a shooting opportunity card on their files.
The other place of course is the registered firearms dealer /gun shop or cartridge supplier they often display such card as yours. inside the shop.
You're likely to have to sign up to a website group but if the land is permissible for fox extermination you may have several folk with an open ticket & a sound moderated rifle only to happy to come and see you to take the numbers down.
You could also try and contact some local farmers rather than small holders , for most farmers will know of shooters if they have sheep & game birds .
Even a decent butcher with a good game section might know of shooters who would do it for just the fuel & ammo costs.
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We have a problem fox around at the moment. It came in the middle of the day and killed two of my three geese, and has taken seven of a neighbours chickens in the day, along with other poultry around the valley. He is an old, grey muzzled dog fox, and has been seen by a couple of people. I assume he has been pushed out of his area and has moved into ours recently. I'm gutted that our geese were the first attack, if we'd had warning they would have been under lock and key all day. But now we must hunt him down, as until then nothing can free range around the area. He's wise to the lamp, but the traps are out and there are a few likely spots of woodland to check with the dogs. Sooner or later he'll get caught out!
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if you go on a site called pigeon watch, there will be plenty of good shooters who would love to help you, and it wouldn't cost you a bean
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Yep, just like we do around here. Coincidentally, as do one or two others around the same time! :innocent:
Excellent photo!
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The neighbour across the road puts out pies and chicken breasts to feed them, even still does it after I turned up on her doorstep with a sack of dead chickens and told her what she's causing. (Nightmare neighbour from hell- want to try avoiding her if at all possible).
It's a shame you can't poison the food she puts out. That way she pays for the bait, thinks it's either not encouraging them to return or that she's killing them herself and thus changes her behaviour.
Had a fox around here taking turkey poults, a hen and a goose.
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Get someone with a silenced .22 to shoot them. Your neighbour will never know. I'm on PigeonWatch, can put a call out for you if you wish
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Get someone with a silenced .22 to shoot them. Your neighbour will never know. I'm on PigeonWatch, can put a call out for you if you wish
Spandit - do said PigeonWatch folks also remove any 'accidents'?
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Spandit - do said PigeonWatch folks also remove any 'accidents'?
Do you mean if a fox accidentally got in the way when they were target shooting? I'm sure they would. I bought a rifle from a chap in Leeds, can give him a shout and see if he's interested before opening it up to the public
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I thought feeding foxes was illegal?
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Where abouts are you based? Im based North Leeds (weth area) and have a similar issue, their are some good shooters who will take out the lot in a couple of visits in the area - retrieved with a dog which goes straight after the gun to fetch - so pretty humane too.
I had 4 regulars but now nothing for a while, Didnt have to pay either, agreed they could come and take rabbits a couple of weeks later with air rifles as payment for taking the foxes out. Agreed same arangement if needed in future - and perhaps a bottle of wine or so.
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They trap urban foxes, microchip them (they have a shaved patch at the bottom of their leg) and release them in groups into the countryside.
They are used to people and are often in poorer condition than our country foxes.
My friend used to have so many in his garden at night the lawn was literally covered in fox poo. Foxes do not travel in packs.
As others have said you need local pest control. Look on the message board in your food store or just ask aound.
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These "well meaning" people will not understand that what they are doing is not only upsetting for poultry keepers and breeders of sheep but downright cruel to the foxes.They have never been taught to hunt, are starving and have no choice but to go for whatever is at hand and are shot or poisioned within 48 hours of "freedom" though after they have done their worst!!
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I saw a young fox, a red one, in the field sniffing around I'll have to keep a close eye on the chickens just in case. :(
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We have had another spice girl situation over night. Turned twins out yesterday to "Cae Yr Cadno" - two have become one. I'm not going to get angry. I am going to get a Berretta and belt of three inch mags and hide in the hedge. See you all later. :paw:
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We have had another spice girl situation over night. Turned twins out yesterday to "Cae Yr Cadno" - two have become one. I'm not going to get angry. I am going to get a Berretta and belt of three inch mags and hide in the hedge. See you all later. :paw:
A few years ago we had a massive problem with foxes, since then not a single one. I really hope that your lambing goes well and that you do kill the fox. Remember that foxes, like dogs, have a super nose which means that their nose is super sensitive to smells, so be careful you hide where the wind isn't blowing in the wrong direction.
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What are you trying to say WBF???! :huff:
Well either I don't smell as bad as you think I do or they don't smell as good as you think they do because:
This morning circa 5.30 I discovered that 4 x 3" mag at 25 yrds = -1 fox + a whole lot of lead :farmer:
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6 am this morn, drinking cup of tea looking out of our sitting room patio doors.
Beautiful sunny day, Curlews flying about, sheep all lay down cudding, peace reigns.
Not for long as a ginger fox walked straight past the window , heading for the chucks run :-\
We have a jack russell and a colliexspaniel, if l see it again and let them out would they sort it out or would l end up with a vets bill :thinking: OH has put in for his gun licence in december still waiting to hear :rant:
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Chances are if they are not used to catching foxes the fox would easily outrun them as they would likely make a big show of "trying" to catch him "woof woof woof grrrr" etc. If they did catch him then you would not end up with a big vets bill you would have a dead fox. Last I checked, in terrier vs. fox showdowns terrier wins (and that was without a floppy eared mate for back up). Not sure on the legal what not for this scenario, if he will be in the dogs garden eating the dogs mates though he has it coming IMO.
Gun probably a better bet for you. Chase it up with the FA department?
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Thanks Me, from the terrier and her floppy eared mate :roflanim: She would most probably chase her tail, when theres any excitement thats her response ::)
Got to go out later to deliver a big pan of stew to a neighbouring farmer who is up to his eyes in triplets at the min.
Will leave the 'hounds' out. Just in case. As was mentioned earlier will leave them out after tea for a while till before bed.
I have electric rope around the top of the run , but due to a bad storm the box got blown down and broke, so no power till OH gets round to fixing it. Will just have to be vigilant !
OH said hes heard if you pee round your chuck run that deters foxes, anyone know if thats true ?
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What are you trying to say WBF???! :huff:
Well either I don't smell as bad as you think I do or they don't smell as good as you think they do because:
This morning circa 5.30 I discovered that 4 x 3" mag at 25 yrds = -1 fox + a whole lot of lead :farmer:
:roflanim:I never said you smell bad, but foxes can pick up any scent same as dogs. I watched a program about dogs and how they smell stuff. It was really interesting because they have a nose within a nose within a nose, so they can pick up a scent from ages away. Glad you caught it. By the way what type of gun is it, as am thinking of getting one to deal with foxes and rabbits?!
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What are you trying to say WBF???! :huff:
Well either I don't smell as bad as you think I do or they don't smell as good as you think they do because:
This morning circa 5.30 I discovered that 4 x 3" mag at 25 yrds = -1 fox + a whole lot of lead :farmer:
[/quote
:roflanim:I never said you smell bad, but foxes can pick up any scent, same as dogs. I watched a program about dogs and how they smell stuff. It was really interesting because they have a nose within a nose within a nose, so they can pick up a scent from ages away. Glad you caught it. By the way what type of gun is it, as am thinking of getting one to deal with foxes and rabbits?!
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What are you trying to say WBF???! :huff:
Well either I don't smell as bad as you think I do or they don't smell as good as you think they do because:
This morning circa 5.30 I discovered that 4 x 3" mag at 25 yrds = -1 fox + a whole lot of lead :farmer:
I never said you smell bad :roflanim:, but foxes can pick up any scent same as dogs. I watched a program about dogs and how they smell stuff. It was really interesting because they have a nose within a nose within a nose, so they can pick up a scent from ages away. Glad you caught it. By the way what type of gun is it, as am thinking of getting one to deal with foxes and rabbits?!
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I don't shoot badgers so can't comment there. I am using a 12g with 3" 50g BBs through it. I am on my own and do not have an FAC so restricted to hunting during daylight hours which is working out errr well enough for me.
The difficulty is getting close enough, fortunately I am cunninger and more persistent than a fox when provoked into a vulpicidal rage. Muzzle energy is huge, it is a cannon, but clearly that energy dissipates quickly and beyond 30 yards a clean kill becomes less likely.
I have put a circle of "in range" markers in a spot I like to sit as in the pre-dawn/dusk twilight they seem very near when they are not. I think half the reason my hedge lurking technique is working for me is no one else much does it as its not that effective so possibly I am catching the wilier ones unaware - the other reason is there are shed loads of them down there.
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Kelly58 if I saw a man peeing near an electric fence it would bloody well deter me!! :roflanim:
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:roflanim: :roflanim:
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I don't shoot badgers so can't comment there. I am using a 12g with 3" 50g BBs through it. I am on my own and do not have an FAC so restricted to hunting during daylight hours which is working out errr well enough for me.
The difficulty is getting close enough, fortunately I am cunninger and more persistent than a fox when provoked into a vulpicidal rage. Muzzle energy is huge, it is a cannon, but clearly that energy dissipates quickly and beyond 30 yards a clean kill becomes less likely.
I have put a circle of "in range" markers in a spot I like to sit as in the pre-dawn/dusk twilight they seem very near when they are not. I think half the reason my hedge lurking technique is working for me is no one else much does it as its not that effective so possibly I am catching the wilier ones unaware - the other reason is there are shed loads of them down there.
soz I really was trying to say rabbits, but i keep thinking about the badger cull and TB and it is really getting on my nerves. I don't have any badgers on my holding at all, I hate it when you accidentally write stuff which youi don't mean. :'(
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do you know in France some people actually hunt and eat foxes? they say fox stew is very nice. Personally I would rather eat a pheasant which has hung for 6 months than a fox, they apparently have an ''acquired'' taste. :-\
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I did not know that! I think a 12g would be a flexible tool for you that you could also possibly shoot a few clays etc with for fun as well.
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The modern way of trying to eradicate foxes by not overly skilled or knowledgeable firearms/shotguns users is really not the way to go. Fox shooting has become a sport in its self, and there are thousands of willing volunteers that could easily compound your problems.
Fox management is a very different thing, careful selection of foxes doing the damage and having enough understanding to leave healthy local foxes is the key. A good balanced local population will do you far less damage then a situation where all foxes are shot (or tried to as this really is an impossibility) whereby you create a vacuum for non local foxes to move in and in turn go for the easiest and quickest food source. Keep your healthy local foxes that have knowledge of their territory and skills to find food without causing you undue bother and selectively cull anything that is doing damage.
I have practiced both methods for various clients and indeed myself. In conclusion i feel that this relatively new idea/sport that all foxes should be shot at all times of the year is actually creating far more problems than it is solving and may well be accredited to the increase in fox attacks.
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Interesting Winkhound :thinking:
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Winkhound if you would like to pop over one night and shoot the ones that look like they eat lambs you would be made most welcome (tbh you could shoot the ones that looked vegetarian too and I wouldn't mind much!)
This year I went to the field where I lost lambs last year as soon as I had time, only to find one lamb missing and Mr Fox in pursuit of another. I shot him. I returned the evening after and shot another. The evening after I shot and saw nothing so put out more lambs - and lost lambs. So I returned with the gun and shot another.
How would you suggest I do it differently for better results?
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How would you suggest I do it differently for better results?
I suspect you are doing it right, because you are shooting the ones that are in your field going for lambs, and you are not going into the woodland with dogs to find and shoot the ones that aren't going for lambs?
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Well, I'm not sure, I am open to suggestions. I lost lambs so it wasn't perfect! :thinking:
My technique for next year is mainly going to be more of the same but sooner, if there are better ways/tips I would love to hear them. A lot of the trouble is my land is in little blocks bordered by slipper farmers, dairy farmers and hippies (a lot of unmanaged scrub, bracken, bramble land around) none of whom have an interest in controlling foxes.
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Well, I'm not sure, I am open to suggestions. I lost lambs so it wasn't perfect! :thinking:
I still think you should get a llama :excited:
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Are they good shots?
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Deadly with a one two punch, as I understand it. http://britishllamasociety.org/Activities/page42/page42.html (http://britishllamasociety.org/Activities/page42/page42.html)
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ME - Get me permission to control the foxes in that scrub and i'll come down for a wee holiday before lambing lol.
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I may take you up on that :dog: :dog:
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(http://i1143.photobucket.com/albums/n623/Ideation123/IMG_0937_zps2770e071.jpg) (http://s1143.photobucket.com/user/Ideation123/media/IMG_0937_zps2770e071.jpg.html)
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Only allowed two dogs to flush to the gun toting Llama for the protection of game birds isn't it Porter?
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Only two are ever used at one time to flush the fox, the black and tan hound and the white and black terrier, the rest just run around chasing their tails yapping like fools.
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Only two are ever used at one time to flush the fox, the black and tan hound and the white and black terrier, the rest just run around chasing their tails yapping like fools.
Excellent!
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Mmmmm :thinking: ..... if only two dogs are allowed, why does a hound pack flush the woods around here?
Or is it different if using 'hounds'?
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OH has put in for his gun licence in december still waiting to hear :rant:
+1. I called them to chase and they told me they're short staffed, and understandably have to prioritise renewals over new applications.
How on earth they'll cope with the forthcoming Scottish airgun licensing is beyond me!
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My suggestion would be try and come up with a plan and agreement with your neighboring farmers/landowners to form an effective cull plan of troublesome foxes over a larger area. You may well find that somebody is already culling all the wrong animals and therefore creating a problem or perhaps you just have a too higher population for the natural food sources. A good number of foxes will live on very little and are experts at finding their own food, however in some situations (high population/ close to towns/ tips/ large industrial areas) unessential killing of the wrong species can be learnt behavior.
In some places where a healthy population has been established,good animal husbandry has been adhered to and on the whole most of the farming year passes without any clashes we have used feeding methods. For the critical weeks where a vixen need to feed her young and young lambs seem to be presented to her as if by magic, creating another food source will often provide her with all that she requires. We ONLY feed natural food that the vixen could catch for herself if she wasn't tempted by an easier option.
On a similar vein i fully understand that loosing lambs is gut wrenching problem, but from the months of March through to June a vixen is trying to feed her young, and without her they will simply starve.
I attend a lot of lambing call and see many many foxes among lambs and ewes but a lamb killing fox is generally very obvious in its behavior. As are some lamb killing badgers which is far more common than some would have you believe.
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As I have heard llamas don't really do much, unless the fox is a threat to themselves. I really do not think it would make much difference, plus the dairy farmers may have something to say as llamas carry TB.
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So.... put six lambs out yesterday... I have two left this morning. :gloomy:
How on earth do people lamb ewe lambs outside and have anything left to sell at the end of the year? Near this spot I have seen a three month old lamb being eaten alive by Gulls and crows (not mine thankfully, and I don't know how it ended up in that position). I have now lost 10 lambs in two years (and counting) some confirmed as fox kills most disappeared.
One carcass left on field eyes gone, guts out three day old lamb, I carried him to his mum before dark last night to make sure they were "mothered up". He now baits the fox trap (which has never yet caught a fox).
It is heart breaking.
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How awful, I'm so sorry :(
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So sorry.
Are there no gamekeepers/ hound packs nearby that could help?
They're lamping around here most nights at the moment. We've lambed Soay outside for a couple of years with no problems yet .... maybe just luck or the foxes are kept down by the keepers or the Soay are fierce mums.
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ME - It sounds like the only thing that will solve your problem is either lamping or night vision at night. Once they start doing it that regular, chances are you have a pair of foxes or more targeting them with regularity.
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disturbing ewes and lamps at night with lamps is not recommended. Early mornings sitting up is generally the most effective method. But of course this takes more time and dedication.
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PL the A Team (errr maybe F - Team) have been contacted. Winkhound I am there tomorrow morning, lurking. Again. All methods now deployed, even witchcraft (stockholm tar) currently making a voodoo fox.. (not really)
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Hope you were successful
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Winkhound - If someone knows what they are doing, then shooting foxes in lambing fields using a red filter isn't particularly disturbing to the ewes at least no more disturbing that having a fox running about the fields.
Early mornings only work if thats when charlie passes, if it only comes at night then its not much use being sat there at day break.
ME - The tar can work, so can other concoctions.
Although i'd be leaning heavily toward setting wires all over the shop one eve and hoping you've hung foxy up in the morning!
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We will have to disagree on that then :thumbsup:
I can only comment from my knowledge and try and be helpful. After 15 years of being a professional rural pest controller (90% of paid work being foxes) i have a fairly good idea of their habits and control methods, also a fairly good idea of the majority of other peoples control methods.
Most actual lamb killing is done just before light or just as it gets dark as this is when lambs are slowing and settling or getting up. Unless they lambs are being born outside but most on here seem not to be.
A fox in among lambs/sheep is very common and causes very little disturbance unless specifically targeting lambs. most just clean up afterbirth or more often milk rich shite without being a problem.
Nowadays most people who lamp with a rifle drive most of their permission and therefore create disturbance and push about settled sheep/lambs.
Effective pest control is as much about observation as anything else.
Snaring can be a very effective control method but less people would volunteer to snare for free, it involves more skill and again it is non targeting.
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It would seem the tar does work! Had a tarred lamb with minor injury this morning being two circular puncture wounds in its head approx. the width of my thumb apart and a skinned tail - but alive... so there we are sign me up for the voodoo etc etc
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We will have to disagree on that then :thumbsup:
I can only comment from my knowledge and try and be helpful. After 15 years of being a professional rural pest controller (90% of paid work being foxes) i have a fairly good idea of their habits and control methods, also a fairly good idea of the majority of other peoples control methods.
Most actual lamb killing is done just before light or just as it gets dark as this is when lambs are slowing and settling or getting up. Unless they lambs are being born outside but most on here seem not to be.
A fox in among lambs/sheep is very common and causes very little disturbance unless specifically targeting lambs. most just clean up afterbirth or more often milk rich shite without being a problem.
Nowadays most people who lamp with a rifle drive most of their permission and therefore create disturbance and push about settled sheep/lambs.
Effective pest control is as much about observation as anything else.
Snaring can be a very effective control method but less people would volunteer to snare for free, it involves more skill and again it is non targeting.
Think our differing opinion may be based upon the fact that we lamb outdoors here.
Snaring is a very handy method as it's working when you are sleeping.
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Shooting is the only permanent solution - if you can't do it or don't have the time, have a chat with the BASC (British Association for Shooting and Conservation) Tel: 01244 573000, they will be able to put you in touch with someone in your area who would like the opportunity of a bit of shooting, their members are insured, responsible, licensed and safe shooters.
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So.... put six lambs out yesterday... I have two left this morning. :gloomy:
How on earth do people lamb ewe lambs outside and have anything left to sell at the end of the year? Near this spot I have seen a three month old lamb being eaten alive by Gulls and crows (not mine thankfully, and I don't know how it ended up in that position). I have now lost 10 lambs in two years (and counting) some confirmed as fox kills most disappeared.
One carcass left on field eyes gone, guts out three day old lamb, I carried him to his mum before dark last night to make sure they were "mothered up". He now baits the fox trap (which has never yet caught a fox).
It is heart breaking.
Is it the same on all your land? Why not get some hunters in which can get rid of the vermin.
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No it isn't, but they can't all stay on the "safe" stuff
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Yesterday morning, about 9-45am with tractors about doing their slurry spreading and people riding, I saw the biggest fox Ive ever seen stroll across one of our fields bold as brass.
I shouted at it but is just looked at me and carried on....not a care in the world. My little dogs wouldn't stand a chance against a fox that size, let alone my hens :(
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So.... put six lambs out yesterday... I have two left this morning. :gloomy:
How on earth do people lamb ewe lambs outside and have anything left to sell at the end of the year? Near this spot I have seen a three month old lamb being eaten alive by Gulls and crows (not mine thankfully, and I don't know how it ended up in that position). I have now lost 10 lambs in two years (and counting) some confirmed as fox kills most disappeared.
One carcass left on field eyes gone, guts out three day old lamb, I carried him to his mum before dark last night to make sure they were "mothered up". He now baits the fox trap (which has never yet caught a fox).
It is heart breaking.
I am sorry to hear this. It's of no use probably but a local farmer and I were chatting about lambing indoor versus out. He lambs outdoors and reckons on 10 percent losses. He did tell me the difference between badger and fox kills though and he said badgers go for the guts and leave the rest where it is, foxes move the lamb or at least most of it. We have a lot of both and he reckons he loses more to badgers than to foxes.
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Losses to badgers are under rated in general I feel
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Losses to badgers are under rated in general I feel
he reckons lambs sleeping/born by a fence line are particularly at risk from badgers.
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Losses to badgers are under rated in general I feel
he reckons lambs sleeping/born by a fence line are particularly at risk from badgers.
Any newborn lamb in a field wherever it is born is at risk from both foxes, unruly dogs and indeed badgers. I lamb outside but never seem to have problems, apart from the odd ewe needing assistance.
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Badgers are a bigger problem here to be honest. A strong ewe stands half a chance of driving a fox off, a badger on the other hand shows no fear. Also helps that we can wipe the foxes out of the area pre-lambing, whereas the badgers are somehow 'special'. Foxes tend to eat the head, badgers crunch the chest and guts out. We need a good, hard cull on them around here!!!
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Wow - old post but only just read it. Crikey!
An update from the original poster would be interesting - if they ever read this, please update!!!!!
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I've just spent 3 nights sat in the garden with the g*n getting the b*stards - they managed to take a 3 week old lamb on Friday night >:( >:( >:(
Deliberately kept the sheep in for a couple of weeks knowing the fox would have a pop but was convinced they wouldn't manage a 3 week old! Even blobbed them all with Stockholm in the hope it would discourage them.
Found the poor sods remains hanging out of the fox's den. Also managed to find a badgers hole for the first time since we've been here, and we have TB testing next month ::) *sigh*
Next job is to shoot the neighbour who keeps feeding them and bringing them around here!!!
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Weve had 3 foxes in a week. I noticed one walking across the neighbours land around 8.30am so phoned my shooting boys who are pretty good and managed to call him - bang! Same night had another and caught one in fox trap (dead lamb as bait) another bang. Last year we lost every lamb bar 2 it was the worst lambing ever. As townies cant understand we cant support the fox population they have to be controlled and seeing we do pasture eggs I cannot afford to have a fox anywhere near my hens.
As for badgers that another thing that we cant discuss on here!
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Met my local fox this past week ... last Sunday morning coming back from walking the dog, down the road to my house, there he was in the middle of the road at 10am. And again this morning at 7:30am in my next door neighbours garden. Bold as brass. Hmm....he's done no harm to my chickens so far which are out all day, so will live and let live until he does something wrong :). There are plenty of easy pickings from the town bins etc so suspect this guy is a bit lazy, in which case it's better to keep him alive rather than shoot him and he then to be replaced by another who may not be quite so lazy!
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Next job is to shoot the neighbour who keeps feeding them and bringing them around here!!!
Could you point out, very helpfully, that a couple of years ago a lady in Cornwall + her daughter + the family cat caught TB from the badgers she fed on her lawn every night....?
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It wouldn't help the any case am afraid, no one who protects those creatures has the sense to do the right thing; the right thing would be to control them. TB will always be around to some degree, like mixi in rabbits, but you can control the level of it by keeping the badger population down. Did you also know that they can pass it onto hedgehogs too and decimate them? Hedgehogs are rare, but nobody sadly cares for them. This world is in a mess, especially this country, they think it is ok to keep sick animals and yet they're slaughtering out healthy cows and for what, a few over sized vermin? Now that is animal cruelty! :rant:
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Next job is to shoot the neighbour who keeps feeding them and bringing them around here!!!
Could you point out, very helpfully, that a couple of years ago a lady in Cornwall + her daughter + the family cat caught TB from the badgers she fed on her lawn every night....?
Utterly pointless - she's a nightmare. Told me last week that the moles must have come up and strolled across her new tarmac drive to get into her garden ::) She's a retired biology teacher - wonder how far her students ever got with careers in biology!
I took the 28 hens the fox decimated last year and left them on her doorstep to try and get the point across but it did nothing sadly.
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Told me last week that the moles must have come up and strolled across her new tarmac drive to get into her garden
Actually I believe male moles do leave their tunnels at mating time and go overland searching for new female-containing tunnels. Unlikely in this case though.
A friend of ours once rescued a mole from their cat and put it under an upturned bucket on their lawn whilst they googled what to do next. Funnily enough, it wasn't there half an hour later! ;D
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.....Funnily enough, it wasn't there half an hour later! ;D
ha ha - laughed long and hard about that one.
Hey, where did that mole go - I am sure it was under this bucket. :roflanim: