[jameslindsay]

Lastnight I had 2 experienced game keepers here armed and ready to kill our problem fox. The trouble is we have not seen any fox for the last few weeks and the holes we thought were their den we were told are not. So, after an hour and a half of searching they found nothing. If we want them to sit out all night it is £100 a night but even they said they think we would be wasting our money since there are no dens on our land!!!

They did give us a few tips on what we could buy and try frighten/trap them ourselves. They suggested "alarm mines" but my worry with these are Rosie and Toggi (old big goats) don't get locked up at night and if they wandered off onto somewhere they shouldn't they would get the fright of their lives. The "live" trap is great but what the hell would I do with a captured fox???

So, the problem is do we take the chance and let the ducks and hens out to totally free range or not??

[northfifeduckling]

That certainly is a dilemma! the foxes may have moved on as your birds were shut away over the last weeks. If you let them out they might as well come back, could they live in the reserve across the river? If you have the time, maybe just let them out under supervision, when you have things to do outside and are around. I was babysitting the ducks for hours sometimes for one reason or another, it takes up so much time! My mum told me of the olden times when kids were paid to look after the birds all day, we know why !

[sandy]

I would leave it but, then if you loose a bird again you will be devastated and feel guilty, I know I would, what about putting up a trap of a dead (bought) chicken or similar and see if a fox comes to take it? Not sure if I could sit around all day watching but I suppose  you could put  up a webcam!!! A good friend told us his brother has just lost some chickens to a Fox and he had very tight security and as you know, they hunt in the day as well, other than get a marksman on the perimiter fence 24/7 not sure what you can do!!!!!! fingers crossed, your lifestock are safe.

[jameslindsay]

Kerstin - letting them out while I am out would work until the ducks went off on the river, then they would never come back until they were ready to! You know what buggers they can be ha ha.

[doganjo]

I would be inclined to put out the live fox trap to see if you catch one - and have your gamie friends ready to come over to dispatch it.  It will be OK in the trap for a whole day, especially if under a tree for shade. No point in torturing the thing in a sun trap.

[sandy]

Doganjoe! I think you came back to go on the forum, you naughty girl

[doganjo]

If only - I would rather be in France right now! Damned Easyjet!

[gavo]

Hello,

Any room for pigs in your life  ?

We never have any bother with foxes or mink for that matter. The pigs live in fields surrounding the poultry (ducks, geese, hens, turkeys) and we guess it's the dung smell that keeps predators away.


Cheers

Gavin

[sausagesandcash]

£100 a night..... for that money i'd travel over from Ireland, kill the damn fox and help you out around the farm.....plus I'd take payment in Guinness...Mmmm best keep the neighbours away (unless you don't like them  )....Honest m'lud I thought 'twas a fox!!

[Kerryw]

I'm sure i've heard foxes hate lion manure. Get some and spread it around before you let the ducks out! This is straight up and not a joke.

[Fluffywelshsheep]

if you have an zoo's etc near buy ask them about lion poo.

[Farmer]

Re response from Gavo - a few years ago we had a young fox that visited our farm every night for about a month - he/she was often spotted in both the sheep fields and the pig paddocks scavaging for left overs - neither the sheep or the pigs were disturbed and they seemed oblivious to the fact that there was a predator in their midst. I spent a number of nights, gun in hand, watching him/her but after a time he/she simply disappeared. Later in the year we lost a number of our free range chickens but I can't be sure it was the same fox...I don't hate foxes, in fact I think the countryside is richer for having them in it...but we do have a moral obligation to safeguard our livestock!

Sorry James, this doesn't answer your dilemma...personally, I'd set a live trap and let the birds enjoy their freedom, if he/she returns be ready to act quickly...no second chances!

Regards, Farmer
 

[jameslindsay]

I decided, as the fox had not been seen for a good few weeks, to let the ducks and hens out and so far so good. They are much happier getting out and about again and the ducks much prefer the river to their pond. I go out often and do a headcount.

[sandy]

I wounder if a good scare crow holding a pretend gun and with a random noise of a shot, would deter a Fox?? I made a scare crow in my garden but all it did was scare me, every time I went out, how silly is that?

[jameslindsay]

Sandy that is because you are mental!!!  You did make me laugh, thanks.