The Poultry Keeper

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 1712 Location: Carmarthenshire

I have had chooks for 3 years now and have always free ranged them. Up to now we have never seen a fox - until today! About an hour ago i was talking to my neighbour on the phone (not being lazy but had just got out of the shower) when he suddenly said "oh my God, there are 2 foxes in your bottom paddock" . I looked out and sure enough there were 2 young foxes playing in the paddock - a bit too close to the brahma bantams at the bottom of the garden. They free range all day till bedtime in with the 2 rams. We are going away for the weekend tomorrow morning and my neighbour is looking after everything. I'm not too worriedabout the large chooks as they will be in the big run - 100'x60' and 6' high - but the bantams don't have that protection, they do get shut in at night. The rams are not keen on the dogs and try to butt them so I am hoping they will keep the foxes away from the bantamss till we get back and can build them a big run.

Teasal · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:03 pm Post subject:

Oh ....I would not be happy with foxes that close to my bantams. Having said that, the other day, the man who comes on shooting, asked if I was aware there were two fox cubs in the field next to ours, sunbathing every afternoon. If thats all they are doing. fair enough, but its when they get a bit hungry, thats the problem with my free range flock just over the wall!!

CP · Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:22 pm Post subject:

Don't trust 'em! Twisted Evil

They will strike when you least expect it... & then it's too late. Twisted Evil

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

When my OH went to investigate the fuss being made by the bantams in the lower orchard, the fox wasn't bothering them, he was sitting outside the electric fence calmly picking off the golden raspberries (until he noticed OH).

Teasal · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 10:52 pm Post subject:

Has your fox been up here and helped himself to my strawberries too? I ate two large juicy ones the other day, and yesterday went back to see how the other ripening ones were coming along - and they had gone!!!

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

Hedgehogs are very fond of strawberries, and tree rats will work over the gooseberries.

mojo · Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject:

OHs (of both gender )steal fruit too...........and say nothing

Teasal · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject:

Mmm....my OH does go out in the orchard with the dogs - so he has every opportunity to pinch the strawberries, but he knows how much I like them - surely he would not pinch them. I have mentioned the missing fruit, but had no positive response about it. On the other other hand, Flo one of the dogs spends a lot of time in the orchard - very close to the strawberry pots at times, so it could be her!!