[rags4bags]

Help! saw a fox sniffing around the hen house and run this morning. The girls had not been given their usual run of the garden yet but were upset and trying to hide. Given that this is a small town garden surrounded by houses leading on to countryside should i keep them in today? I am new to bantams and they have just started to lay. Any advice would be most helpful. Thanks.

[rags4bags]

Very early this morning i caught a fox sniffing round the hen house. It upset the bantams and ran off. Is it safe to let them have the run of the garden as usual? We live in town ,surrounded by houses, but farm land is nearby. I have not had them long and want to keep them what should i do? i would be grateful for any advice . Thanks.

[Beano]

I would not let them free range if I were you!! Have you got a secure fox free run for them?
Even if the run is a little on the small side I would keep them in there until you manage to build a bigger one.
The fox was quick to find them and he will be back!
What about an electric fence? perhaps that would keep foxy at bay.

[too many girls]

i agree, now the fox knows they are there, he will be back

[Jeanette]

The fox will definatly be back please keep your girls in safe.

[Jeanette]

Keep them in.

[Elcie]

oops you seem to have started too similar threads!

I agree with what everyone has said, if I were you I would keep them in.  Actually I would probably be tempted to always keep them in as the fox is likely to return. 

[rags4bags]

Thanks for all the help and support. Sorry about the 2 threads- one minute it said there was a problem with the posting then i had two!
Girls safe in their run all day and even managed to lay a couple of eggs.

[Foxy]

Have merged your two threads Rags to Bags Have a look at the fox sticky at the top, lots of useful advice there

[batcatz]

Hi, I had the same thing happen a couple of days ago.  The fox was in my garden at 11:30am!  He then went into my neighbours for a while and ran off as soon as he saw me.  I realised he was eating apples!  Although, I didn't let my hens out that day I let them out yesterday, but I walked around with them.

So, you could let them out if you walk around with them, but don't leave them alone for a minute as I've read post that the fox could snatch one in front of you.  V. scary.

[CWatters]

This place make large runs. Some with roofs which should stop foxes getting in. Perhaps a tad expensive but worth a look just for ideas..

www.chirpycoops.co.uk

We pegged down a "skirt" of chicken wire on the ground around our run to stop animals digging under it to get in. The mesh soon dissapears into the grass/mud. Seems to work well.

Some people near us have fixed an electric cattle fence around the outside of their run to stop foxes trying to climb the fence - theirs is too big for a mesh roof to be practical.

[Foxy]

The runs look good, if one doesn't feel very confident about DIY, nice site I thought.