[joyfull]

why do you think we drive lorries - far more wheels    

[Paul Plots]

why do you think we drive lorries - far more wheels    

I might consider a tram in that case! 

[Thrift]

A well aimed bike could do some damage (probably to the rider too ... so maybe not) 

[Hayley'sHens]

I wont be slowing down for them to get out of my way anymore 

[evie2]

I blame these animal welfare programmes for the increase in garden foxes  

Yes, I know urban foxes have been a pest thanks to overfilled bins and food litter for years however being encouraged to put food out for foxes and badgers in the garden is ridiculous

[Paul Plots]

A well aimed bike could do some damage (probably to the rider too ... so maybe not) 

So, the other evening when I was cycling home at 11pm, I may have made the right decision to go around the fox that wouldn't move out of the way for me?

The dozy thing just stood there and even when I shooed it there was no effort to move much.  :blink:

[evie2]

No fear of humans

[Thrift]

I agree with Evie, the wildlife programmes have a lot to answer for! They completely sentimentalise all wild animals in a way that David Attenborough never did. Admittedly a lot of them are very pretty and attractive creatures but let's not get carried away. They are vermin.

[penninehillbilly]

A well aimed bike could do some damage (probably to the rider too ... so maybe not) 

So, the other evening when I was cycling home at 11pm, I may have made the right decision to go around the fox that wouldn't move out of the way for me?

The dozy thing just stood there and even when I shooed it there was no effort to move much.  :blink:

That is actually quite scary, I dread rabies getting into the country

[penninehillbilly]

Hi

What evidence can you see if a fox has been in your garden compared to that of a cat?

We know there are foxes about as during the snow we saw them playing in next doors garden but we've not seen them in ours, we found tracks but not sure if they were cats or foxes as led away from the chickens.
thank you

A fox track is usually more or less a single line of prints, ie not left and right, some cats do walk like that so you would have to go by size, but beware when snow is melting as they look bigger.
it could still have been a fox, checking out and moving on.

[evie2]

My personal opinion is, don't wait to see evidence of a fox, believe it's there and take as many precautions as you can to protect your chickens.

[John]

I had an email from a smallholder who contended that country foxes actually do good by keeping down the rats (few cats will go for a rat, btw) and that shooting / hunting them was a waste of time as when you killed one, another would take its place. So her answer is that the vulnerable hens and ducks must be fenced in properly or else.

It makes a lot of sense to me.

[8doubles]

I had an email from a smallholder who contended that country foxes actually do good by keeping down the rats (few cats will go for a rat, btw) and that shooting / hunting them was a waste of time as when you killed one, another would take its place. So her answer is that the vulnerable hens and ducks must be fenced in properly or else.

It makes a lot of sense to me.

And it is a waste of time pulling out weeds but it still has to be done. It helps if the neighbouring plots do it too.
A rifle bullet is better than disease and starvation.

[Thrift]

I had an email from a smallholder who contended that country foxes actually do good by keeping down the rats (few cats will go for a rat, btw) and that shooting / hunting them was a waste of time as when you killed one, another would take its place. So her answer is that the vulnerable hens and ducks must be fenced in properly or else.

It makes a lot of sense to me.

Yes, makes sense to me too. They will always be around so if we want to keep poultry we have to make sure Mr. Fox can only gaze longingly at his potential supper!

[penninehillbilly]

I still think it helps if the numbers are kept down, then natures larder may supply more of the diet.
if I got some new hens I may consider keeping them penned, but I love to see them wandering, besides, if a mink managed to get in, they wouldn't stand a chance, looks like free range wins (for now)