[joyfull]

snap!! Learner - great minds and all that 

[Thrift]

snap!! Learner - great minds and all that 

He may well be very hungry but is was in prime condition and certainly not undernourished.
Sometimes some of the younger ones have yet to encounter danger so have no fear though, a condition which will be remedied by the hunt!

[joyfull]

please don't let this topic turn into a pro or anti hunt campaign.

[pepsi100]

I lost all my hens last year to a fox, he/she got in the run and couldnt get out, he was there, carcases all around, feathers everywhere, I introduced him/her to dustbin heaven, now the shotgun is ready (not loaded) I cant shoot them in the street, but if they come into the garden unintroduced, they get a black bag and an introduction to dustbin heaven

Many years ago, I lost my rabbits to a fox, ever since then, I have hated them, I have lost some really beautiful birds to these vermin, I'm not going to lose any more

[Aunt Sally]

You're a barrel of laughs dear 

[Paul Plots]

You're a barrel of laughs dear 

Should that be: "You're a barrel dustbin of laughs dear" ??  :blink:   

[penninehillbilly]

There used to be a product called (something like) Renardine, I don't know if its still available, supposed to deter foxes. When we had a sniff at some we thought it smelled like Jeyes fluid. I wonder of a spray of (diluted) Jeyes would deter them?

Personnally I don't think it would be legal to spray foxes with Jays... then there's the problem of would they stand still long enough to let you...

On and around the chicken run.... maybe.  

I've never heard of it being ILLEGAL, but then again I don't think I could run fast enough to get it on the fox. 
I seem to remember being told rags soaked in the stuff and tied in strategic places would deter most vermin (including moles I think, by putting the rags in the runs)

[Paul Plots]

If it were me I'd probably try just about anything.... and keep it rather quiet 

[Thrift]

Our friendly fox has revisited. A few nights ago I was riding down the lane on my electric scooter at about 9.45pm when something passed me about a yard away then stopped and waited. Sure enough it was Mr. Fox ..... he then loped off into the field.

Two days later he was back, sitting nonchalantly in the field a few yards from the gate, watching us watching him! This was 3.30pm and a touch too close to the hen yard. He retreated slightly but was soon back and ventured out of the gate despite a noisy farmer and Ben the collie giving the odd bark.

When OH threw a stone he ran halfway across the field and waited again until Ben turned up and set off in hot pursuit!

This fox is either very brave, very stupid or possibly a very tame town fox who has been trapped and released in the country.

if i were in your situation i would put some snares or a live catch trap out if you know someone who can shoot it, as otherwise it will get bolder and bolder.

Those were my first thoughts tomshooter ....... I'll have to find a local trapper/shooter and Joyfull, I have no intention of starting a hunting debate. I would rather sit and watch the snow melt!

[penninehillbilly]

Mr fox checked us out last night, his tracks showed where he had double checked the hen hut.

[joyfull]

make sure he cant chew through the coop - wire mesh stapled around the corners and underneath should help deter.

[penninehillbilly]

make sure he cant chew through the coop - wire mesh stapled around the corners and underneath should help deter.

thanks - good idea, I'll see what I can do tomorrow

[min200]

Weve been checked out again as well.  Nice set of tracks around the coop but not cunning enough to get in...again...thankfully!

At least it was just one set of prints as well which is better than the 3 sets we had earlier this year!

[penninehillbilly]

Weve been checked out again as well.  Nice set of tracks around the coop but not cunning enough to get in...again...thankfully!

At least it was just one set of prints as well which is better than the 3 sets we had earlier this year!

It certainly makes me make extra checks when shutting everyone in, there have been times when I've got to bed, for some reason it's then I can't remember shutting a certain door, sometimes I've been right to get up and check.

[Paul Plots]

Snow certainly does show where the foxes have been.... Three in the front garden the other night and two wandering around in broad daylight yesterday. Flipping cheek... they could at least pretend to be nervous!!