[MiriMaran]

We have a fox that is taking a hen most days.  Last Sunday I was in the field at 1345 cleaning the hens out with my OH and 2 children when Oliver shouted fox.  It had grabbed a hen and was running back up the field .  So I ran after it screaming like some sort of Banshee.  It dropped the hen, ran to the wall and then turned around to get the hen again so I started screaming again and it eventually ran away.  Argh!

We have one hen house that has an outdoor enclosure, but its not big enough for all the hens.  We can't afford to put 6 foot fences around a 2 acre field.  We have a fox trap in the field, but I'm not hopeful of catching it.  Our poor hens are easy pickings.

[jameslindsay]

Miri we have human hair tied up in tights and ties to posts all around our land. We have "Fox Watch" machines too and since doing this we have had no losses. We replace the hair with fresh stuff every 3 weeks too and we have several times saw the fox around but never on our land. These precautions are very cheap and may we worth considering. Hope you have no more losses.

[MiriMaran]

What is Fox Watch?

[MiriMaran]

Ok just googled it.  Does it go off if the other animals go near it?  Would the hens and pigs be bothered by it?  How did you decide where to place it?  Lots of questions.

[jameslindsay]

A machine that you can run on battery or mains, you stick them in the ground and when the fox goes past it sets off a sound that the fox hates and makes them do a runner. I think they are about £10 each off the internet, the more you buy the cheaper they are. I swear by them. just google "foxwatch".

[jameslindsay]

I phoned the shop I bought it from and asked the same questions but was told it only effects fox. I have goats, rabbit, ducks, geese and hens that pass them all the time and show no effect from it. I think it covers 20/30 yards but to be honest we only bought 6 and have a lot of land, I think the hair does a good job.

[MiriMaran]

The children are in need of a haircut so I'll take them to the Barbers and get all their leftover hair - yuk!

[jameslindsay]

We have 2 hairdressers in the next village that collect the hair for us.

[Sharondp]

I'm off to the hairdressrs - and to have a look at FoxWatch - useful, thanks 

[bazzais]

Wow great information, I'm not going to cut my hair but its interesting to know.

We only have 10 chickens and have a natural boundary of the sea so touch wood dont have a fox(s) down here yet that have realised there is a food source.  I am def going to look at the fox master though as you can never be too safe.

I got home late last night after having a few problems and the chickens wernt looked up safe in their house and only in their netted area.  Its still a panic to get home.  I am sorry to hear your loosing yours, must be annoying if not horrible for you + kids to actually see it happening and you cant do anything to stop it.

Ta

Baz

[jameslindsay]

One whole side of my property runs along the side of the River Eden. This is wide and tidal and on the other side from our property there is a bird watch, as this estuary is protected, the bird watchers in here often tell stories of seeing the fox swim from one side to the other!!!

[Daveravey]

I'm just wondering if this "foxwatch" thingy is any good in the ongoing battle i have with cats   

[jameslindsay]

You do get a version that is especially made for cats if my memory serves me right Dave.

[MiriMaran]

OK I now have a big bin bag full of hair and have dug out all my tights.  No guesses what I'm up to this afternoon!

[Wizard]

Compliments of the season Miri All due respects Wasting your time?