The Poultry Keeper

Gamekeeper · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 2

As I'm new to the forum i just thought i would ask how you deal with foxes? I know that they are a great nuisance and was wondering how you lot deal with them. From what i have read i can see a lot of people use electric fencing, but does anyone use over methods like scents or shooting. Any help appreciated. Rob

debcat · Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 6:47 pm Post subject:

Hi and welcome Very Happy

we are lucky here in that there are no foxes, I didn't keep hens before I moved here so have never had to cope with them Confused

Mink are a big problem, touchwood they've never been here, I dread the day

Gamekeeper · Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 2

the old fenn trap will deal with them buggers, pain in the arse for taking pheasant or partridge poults.

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6927 Location: isle of lewis

mink and otters again the only likely problem i could have .nonie keeps the otter down by the farm on other side of the bay they are wild but the female comes to her for crab sticks Rolling Eyes

haven't had a problem though Very Happy

.any mink will be trapped
suz

richard · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 258 Location: somerset

I just made sure that the run and house were fox proof. I know we have foxes near by as I've seen them in the day only yards from the run. The house has a concrete base and the run has a low wall all the way round and a fine mesh fence on top. They're locked in the house at night as well.

fenwoman · Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 10:55 pm Post subject:

Luckily the Fens are not good fox country but I do smell when one has been nosing about in the hedge overnight. My solution is electrified poultry netting and good strong poultry houses into which the birds are shut at night.

nigel · Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 6:39 am Post subject:

fenwoman · Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 1:33 pm Post subject:

There is a very good article in this month's 'fancy fowl' about the merits of electrified netting.

mojo · Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 4:35 pm Post subject:

this is an emotive subject.........for and against control..........I get your french cousin(gamekeeper or hunter) to shoot the buggers....i expect to upset folks by that but i cant afford to feed foxes

fenwoman · Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 5:23 pm Post subject:

mojo you don't have to feed them. Honestly, it is fairly straightforward to protect hens from foxes . I actually like foxes, but I like my chickens more. Please don't take the easy option and kill first rather than taking steps to keep them out.

nigel · Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 7:19 pm Post subject:

mojo · Posted: Sat May 06, 2006 9:16 pm Post subject:

we have a security system second to none and we only support the cull of foxes actually on our land....elsewhere in the woods and fields they can live their own lives.............we must agree to differ..........luv mojo

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Electric poultry netting worked extremely well for us in an area highly populated with foxes. But I also have no problem with the really persistent or mangy ones being shot.

poultry poofs · Posted: Thu May 18, 2006 11:25 pm Post subject:

Nor me since one came right up and took one of our Orpingtons right in front of me feeding the birds in the pouring rain. Thousands of acres of estate land FULL of tasty pheasants, partridge,bunnies, etc but no chicken is much better! Head full of lead on the menu for him later.

rich