[tazbabe]

looked out my bedroom window yesterday to see a fox homing in on my hens, banged hard on the window and it turned away, only to come round the other side. my 2 dogs where right there and none of them saw each other!

i ran downstairs and took a pot at it with the air rifle, off it went.

i had to go out, so they were left unattended, needless to say 2 of the girls were missing come bedtime, a pile of feathers showing where they met their demise.

today have kept them in the run.

i have 3 cockerels in a seperatepen that we intend to eat......do you think i hsould let them out as a sacrifice in the hope that it will satisfy the fox, or will it just keep on coming back until it gets them all?

the hens really hate being kept in, the run is quite small, just for feeding really, if they have to stay in indefinately we will have to extend it somewhat.

[HappyHippy]

I think he'll just keep coming back regardless of whether there's 'easy pickings' or not 
Try and get yourself a trap or someone to come with a gun that will kill it (I'm not sure if an air rifle would be up to the job - haven't any gun knowledge, but I'm sure someone else will )
Try and get the dogs to patrol your area, your OH to pee around the runs to scent mark as well and the last (and a bit bizarre, but effective method) is wee bags of human hair hung roundabout too - ask your local hairdressers 
HTH
Karen x

[Daveravey]

Trying to kill a fox with an air rifle would be like trying to destroy a tank with a peashooter   

A small bore .22 rifle, or if you can get close enough, a shotgun will suffice

[little blue]

had a HUGE fox here the other night.
Chooks are more secure than the rabbits ... but so far he hasn't got at anything.
  We chased him away at half three on a frosty morning.. in our pyjamas!

[OhLaLa]

Leaving your cockerels out for him in his language = 'easy pickings here, I'll be back for more'. Don't do it, not a good idea.

Fox does what fox does. He will wander about looking for his next meal at any time of day. I've been outside with the radio on as he wandered past me. The look he gave me! Nonchalant and then turned away to so the slowest escape a fox could do. Bothered!

Your fox will be back. In fact, he is probably there more often than you realise. The best you can do is be vigilant, and if you aren't about don't leave them to free range.

 

[CameronS]

Never had a fox attack tugh know they are around, but lost my wee disable barnvelder girl to a buzzard the other day

[Anke]

Electric netting run off the mains seems to do the trick, even when it is not kicking in the snow. So far we have not had any taken, even though our old girls are out, more or less free ranging... but we do see prints in the snow (both badger and fox), so they are about.

Borrow a live fox trap, your local gamekeeper/pest control guy will have one or know who has one.

[Pony-n-trap]

I read somewhere that dog muck will keep them away too, not sure if it works but when I 'muck out' our lawn, I chuck it down the bank near the chicken garden.

Hope he doesnt reek to much havoc.

[tazbabe]

thanks for the advise folks. we already do the man pee thing! and my collie is outside all day everyday, her choice.  i knew the air rifle would'nt be enough, but it was to hand and i was angry!

we live nearby to a large estate, they own a lot of the land around us, perhaps i will have a word with the factor, see if they would have a trap i can borrow. or i wonder if i can make one with a dog cage?

OH is away atm, since before christmas. his dad had a stroke, and unfortunately died on tuesday, its been a tough time for lots of reasons, including the fact that a drunk driver wiped steve out on the motorway when he was on his way down there, and this was just the last straw!

[doganjo]

Oh you poor thing, having to cope with that beast on your own and with your dad-in-law having died.  I hope Steve wasn't hurt in that accident.  Our local shoots are always delighted if they manage to bag a fox.  Perhaps the estate runs organised shoots - get them to look out for foxy loxy on the next one.  Good luck.

[tazbabe]

thanks hun x

he was shaken up, neck and shoulder a bit sore, but generally ok. i was worried about him driving down with a lot on his mind, but he was doing fine, and only 60 miles from destination when the idiot came along. car is probs a right off.

he's coming home tomorrow, his brother is going to stay with their mum for a while, and after the funeral and house closure she is going to come stay with us.

[HappyHippy]

Hope Steve gets home safe and sound mrs, cars are lumps of metal and can be replaced, us peoples can't ! As long as he's not seriously hurt that's the main thing. You've definately not had the best start to the new year - sending lots of virtual hugs and 
Talk to the estate, chances are their gamekeeper/pest control guy will be more than happy to help out or loan you a trap.
Thinking of you 
Karen x

[tazbabe]

thanks karen, i've passed on your message, he said he might just come for those hugs and kisses in person!!!

[doganjo]

Ok more up here for him just a few miles further North!  And e-hugs winging their way to you.

[tazbabe]

oooh, he's going to be all kissed out before he gets home to me!!!