[Jim Steel]

Hi,
Looking for a wee bit advice please.
We have Large Black weaners and I would like to get them out as nature intended. However we have had a problem wth fox predation with the lamb and chooks, even down at the farm. Are the foxes likely to have a go at the piglets or will the little porkers frighten the living daylights out the fox. If it is likely to be a problem what age could we safely get them out? Thanks

[HappyHippy]

The foxes wouldn't touch them I'd say 

Very young piglets (under a week old) if they wandered away from mum.........there maybe a slight risk, but it would be a very brave fox that chanced coming face to face with an overprotective sow.
And by the time they're weaner size/weight the fox isn't likely to even consider it.

On a side note, our chickens free range (always have done) and don't get shut in at night, preferring to roost mostly in the rafters of the shed. I'd heard an 'old farmers tale' that foxes won't come onto the property when pigs are around and we have foxes round here (I know, I've seen them in broad daylight) but we haven't lost a single chicken to foxes (badgers yes, but not a fox).
I was speaking to a friend yesterday who also kept chickens and pigs (weaners bought in spring and raised til autumn) for the three years he had pigs his chickens were fine, but the last year he didn't have pigs he had 4 fox attacks. So I reckon there's something in it  Maybe moving the pigs near the chickens for a while will help?
Karen

[Jim Steel]

Thanks Karen.

[hughesy]

I used to think that foxes wouldn't come caling if there were pigs about. Not true at all. Like HH says though week old or under might be taken if they wander off but sows are pretty alert usually. Once they get to weaner size it should be the fox that's worried.

[verdifish]

Having lived for many years in Germany and whilst there was a keen hunter ,the rule of thumb is if you have wild boar in the area you wont have foxes. Foxes apparently hate the smell of pig and see them as a preditor ,iv have personally seen wild boar dig out cubs from a foxes den and eat them . But ive never heard of a fox attacking any type of pigs .

[ballingall]

I echo the fact that I think the fox will avoid the pigs so get them out there. First batch of large black weaners we got, we didn't see hide nor hair of a fox all winter (we get weaners in September and take them through to February/ March). Weaners went off to their final destination- 1 week later fox was in and took all my ducks!


It was definitely as if they were aware the pigs were gone.


Beth

[Porterlauren]

Slightly off topic, but slightly related. . . . .

A friend of mine had a real problem with foxes killing poultry at his allotment. . . .

He also kept pigs there, but not that close together. Getting fed up of losing birds, he decided to try and see if the pigs would put the foxes off, so moved his poultry shed / run, into the walled in field that held the pigs.

He came down one morning, to find some rather claret covered piggies, and scattered scraps of tell tale ginger fur around the pig pen.

[HappyHippy]

That's really interesting to know  so it seems pigs would see off/kill a fox then 

[Porterlauren]

In a confined environment, or if they got the drop on the fox. Yep.

Over a longer distance, I doubt it, and most foxes would be too canny I guess, but if it was a bit pre occupied or took a risk. . . . we all know how fast a pig can accelerate when they want to!

They were Tamworths.

[Mr Pig]

We used to keep a herd of Wessex Saddlebacks which farrowed indoors but sow and litter were put into runs with an ark at three weeks old and we never had a problem with foxes. Until the winter of 1962/3 when we had heavy snow on the ground from Boxing day until Easter. The foxes got so desperate for food that they started going into the arks at night and taking the odd piglet. It all ended with a man with a rifle sitting out at night who despatched 2 foxes and the problem ended. The same system continued for a number of years thereafter without any predation problems.

[shotblastuk]

Saw a big dog fox basking in the sun not 10ft away from where my 2 GOS sows were asleep a couple of evenings ago so I don't think they can be that wary of pigs mind you he did shift when one farted . Trust a fox as much as you would trust a politician I say!!! and badgers even less