[Pabloelchico]

Sadly, one of our 3 hens was killed in the garden by a fox during the day on Wednesday. Mr fox scaled the 6 foot fence, swiped Jemima and left her remains behind the shed. Unfortunately, this seems to have really spooked the remaining 2 hens. They happily potter round the garden when we are out with them, but they now seem very reluctant to be put into their eglo run, and once I have got them in there, they pace to and fro, bobbing up and down, generally seeing very ill at ease. I can only assume that not only do they remember the passing of their friend, but also Mr Fox is staking out the run on a regular basis and scaring them.

Can anyone let me have any genius tips as to:

- how to de-spook my hens
- how to try to keep the urban fox out of my garden which is entirely surrounded by a fence (I already have a infra-red fox deterrent, which appears not to be very effective)

Many thanks
Paul

[ehs284]

Although many people state that chooks do not remember their late compatriots, I'm sure that we have had cases of 'mourning' which may be due to remembering the incident in one way or another. They do stay close to home and seem uneasy, some more than others. This seems to continue for a couple of weeks after which they boldly go.... Just be patient with them and talk to them so they know you're around.
There are lots of threads and advice on foxes, but, if you have a complete 6' fence which the fox jumps over, I'd suggest an outrigger of mesh or just wires so that when the fox jumps for the top of the fence it hits the wires. Do you have neighbours with adjoining gardens? If so, you have to make agreements. If they are unhelpful try a couple of wires along the top of the fence. Generally dogs, cats and foxes get their front paws onto the top of the fence and then the rears so as to make the next spring, so an unexpected wire will throw them. Be prepared for the fox to dig if it can't get over; again lots of tips on this on this forum.
Best of luck.

[beulah59]

Pee round the fence and the eglu ... male urine supposedly acts as a deterrent ... as does human hair. Get your hair cut and ask the barber for a bag of trimmings to scatter round the garden!