The Poultry Keeper

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1338 Location: Manchester

all my ex batts have been killed by what I assume is a fox.

It took two and just ate the heads off the other two.

I've now set crude traps in both coops with the headless birds in the hopes of capturing the intruder.

I'm not sure what to do with it if I catch it though...

I have an air rifle but a- I'm not sure if it's powerful enough, probably at close range and accurate it would be lethal. but b- I'm not really that happy about killing something that's only doing what comes naturally... this fox has had 3 flocks of my birds now though, including 9 out of 10 silkies

relocation is an option but I don't want to just pass the problem onto someone else. *sigh*

what do I do?

JustChickens · Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 886 Location: Sussex

Shoot it.

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1846 Location: norfolk

That's awful Kitsune, I've been there so I know just what an horrendous shock it is. So very sorry. An air rifle is not powerful enough to do the job cleanly - needs a proper job. Your best bet is to clear everything away and leave it poultry-less for a few weeks. Use the time to make your barriers extra secure, finding out how the fox/predator got in and sorting it.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1338 Location: Manchester

I've got chicks in teh brooder but they're not due out for another 7 weeks or so - plenty of time to re-secure things. My main problem is that when I'm away for a field study mum can't get round every day - the run is really not big enough to keep the chickens penned in all day, especially not when I have the sussex out as well from my uni project.

I think I might have to build another run - this time with a chicken wire floor to it as well.

I guess there's no quick and easy way to kill a fox besides shooting?

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1846 Location: norfolk

Not legally.......though I guess the game keepers on here might give you a few suggestions. Sedgewort and ferretboy are two I know of.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1338 Location: Manchester

Thanks, I wish I had more time to deal with this, but I've got to bea t the airport at stupid o'clock in the morning - I'm debating taking the traps down as I'm not sure I'd have the time to deal with anything if I did catch it. I just hate the thought of this animal coming round every night to look for some more food.

Sedgewort Bramble · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject:

An air rifle at point blank range will definately kill a fox with a head shot.
If it was in a trap for example.
If traps are used, there is a legal requirement that they are checked at least once every 24 hours. If anything is caught someone needs to be on hand to 'deal' with the animal.
There are certain requirements as to what is a legal trap. Things that hold a paw for example are illigal.

If a fox was responsible, you can be sure he'll (or most likely she'll) be back.
Vixens will be feeding cubs now, so their food requirement will be much greater and they will take more risks than any other time of the year.
After all she is only trying to feed her family.

Bob

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7170 Location: isle of lewis

no help i'm afraid ,but very sorry ,is there a local estate that might have a game keeper ,who might be able to help with some contacts

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1338 Location: Manchester

Yeah I thought it was the time of year for cubs - I really don't want to kill a nursing mother - but equally I don't want her showing the cubs where the chickens are...

the trap is just a piece of string from the chicken to a catch on the door which should drop the door down and trap the fox inside.

maybe I should take it down.. or maybe being trapped for a night would deter the fox, especially when it comes back to find nothing for a few weeks. What do you think to that idea?

Sedgewort Bramble · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject:

Frightening it??
Wishful thinking I'm afraid.

Catch, kill it.

Plus it would make the fox trap shy.....
Would still probably visit, but not be stupid enough to be caught again.

I destroy a lot of foxes, but always do my utmost to find and kill cubs if it's a vixen I've got.

Poison is illegal, snares still OK, needs to be correct type, and needs an experienced hand to set.

Biggest killer of foxes is cars..........not something you can rely on though.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1338 Location: Manchester

Well - I'll check the trap early morning - if it's in there I'll grit my teeth and shoot it... and hope its either male or not nursing.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1338 Location: Manchester

sh*t - well that's that idea out the window - my partner has taken both of his rifles up to Scotland.

I guess poison is illegal?

Sedgewort Bramble · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject:

Yes absolutely..............

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1338 Location: Manchester

Any other ways to deal with it, or should I just take the traps down and wait till I have a rifle to hand..?

CP · Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 6:29 pm Post subject:

So very sorry Kitsune. Crying or Very sad

Probably not a legal option, but you could hook it up to the car exhaust & gas it. Not that I'm telling you to do that of course. Rolling Eyes