The Poultry Keeper

Serena · Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 1 Location: London

We really want to get chickens but have a healthy fox living nearby. Would getting a dog deter him from eating our chickens?
If so, what kind of dog is compatible with chickens, and can also live easily in a backyard?
Thanks
Serena

Muddiwarx · Joined: 01 Apr 2008 Posts: 90 Location: Nr Manchester, UK

Do you actually want a dog and have the time/ inclination. desire to walk and train etc a dog??

Not many dogs would be happy in a backyard all day (and night?) even if walked etc - they like to be part of the family.

CP · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 1:40 am Post subject:

You'd be better off getting some secure electric fencing/netting instead. Wink

A dog will deter foxes to some extent but what happens when you take it for a walk - it won't be near the chickens then.
A nice idea in theory but it shouldn't be the main reason for getting a dog. Wink

le gallois · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:29 pm Post subject:

A dog will not stop a fox from visiting you.The only way is to make sure the chickens are locked up at night.
PS if the fox has young,it will sometimes take the chickens in daylight.

mojo · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 8:48 pm Post subject:

dont buy a dog buy a gun or electric fencing they are the only 2 ways to stop a fox thats determined

Elly · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 289 Location: Norfolk

I'm not sure buying a gun when you live in London would be a good idea Laughing

Plus it's hardly the foxes fault that food is made so easily available, he has to eat too Cool

Get some good fencing, a secure coop and hope nature is good to you.
My bungalow is surrounded by fields and we have never had a visit from the fox, despite seeing him about. Mind you there is a farm with chickens nearby.
We do have a dog, but she has her own outdoor bit and is not near the chickens. I wonder if my cockerel has a bigger role in deterring the fox Question

Keep smilin
Elly

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1394 Location: Carmarthenshire

We are in the same type of situation as you Elly but we have 7 dogs that have access to the paddocks where the chickens and sheep are which I think helps. We do have a cockerel, who is going to the great cockerel place in the sky soon as he keeps attacking me, that doesn't bat an eye around the dogs so not sure what he would do to a fox.

Have heard that male urine helps keep them away or human hair - don't know if it's true Very Happy

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CP · Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 9:10 am Post subject:

Human hair, urine & dogs all work to a degree, but they really can't be relied upon to be 100% effective. Wink

AR & the boys sometimes pee outside Embarassed

but just like a fox scent marks, it has to be done on a regular basis. Wink

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1394 Location: Carmarthenshire

Hubby is always out working in and around the paddock, especially near the chicken run, he doesn't bother to come in Embarassed

so it fairly consistant Embarassed

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Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1334 Location: Manchester

Something I just found out when researching the legality of releasing foxes is this...

jubilee · Joined: 04 Jun 2008 Posts: 113 Location: nottinghamshire

On the other hand, if you had a dog and it alerted you to the presence of a fox on your property, that's not illegal, and as to wether your dog attacked it, with no command from you, but as a natural thing which dogs do, then legally you're fine. fine line to tred, but it's there, and that's how the hunt get away with it when exercising the hounds!

Teasal · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:59 pm Post subject:

We live on a farm and have chickens, and also 8 dogs. Five of the dogs live outdoors in kennels with runs.

Every night, my OH goes to let the dogs have a run in the fields, and there is one, and sometimes two foxes sitting right outside the kennel doors. Most morning we find feathers from ducks and pigeons in the field outside the kennels. The dogs bark, and even chase the foxes over the fields, but it does not deter them from returning every evening.

So, in answer to your question, no, I don't think a dog would be the answer, not unless it was roaming loose next to the chickens. In that case, how could you be sure the dog itself would not kill the chickens!!!

A dog is a lifelong commitment, and believe me, they take up a lot of your time feeding, walking etc. not to mention vet bills for injections and the worming and de fleaing costs. Before you can go out, or away even for a night, you have to make arrangements for the dog.