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Post by Doodles on May 22, 2013 4:12:29 GMT
We have lost all 6 of our chickens to a fox in one night just feathers left behind.I know the fox is doing what it does and all that but flippin heck 6 is a bit much.Now need to build an entire new coop extra secure as have persuaded Milli to get some more and not give up. Anyone have any tips or ideas of preventative measures apart from actually having to shoot the fox?
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Post by Pollik on May 22, 2013 9:28:07 GMT
Oh bugger...sorry to hear that. How did the fox get in? Short of trapping/poisoning/shooting/hunting the fox, I think your only solution is going to be Fort Knox...a hen house with a solid bottom.
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Post by n brown on May 22, 2013 9:57:54 GMT
I kept fancy pheasants and lost 10 one night,their coops were 8 feet high,the lower 4 feet solid osb board and chicken wire above and over the tops.the fox had systematically worked his way along 5 coops,torn or chewed through the wire,njear the tops,making a hole about 6 inches,killed the birds,and climbed out carrying them. clever little fella,but i'd have shot him if I could! another time we had the same number of hens killed,but the fox only took the heads,which annoyed me more ! so it a combination of strong mesh and good husbandry,and if you can get some lion piss from a safari park to sprinkle round,even better !
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Post by kangooroo on May 22, 2013 10:47:17 GMT
It sounds awful and I'm so sorry to read this.
Foxes are everywhere it seems and I've had concerns about them getting to my large-breed rabbits. We've now built a locked and fox-proof enclosure with concrete floor, fenced front, brick rear and timber roof to contain their hutches.
Foxes can work their way through chicken wire - weld-mesh is probably a better option along with sturdy uprights, a solid floor and secure roof.
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Post by brewkit on May 22, 2013 19:44:41 GMT
dude, that is not good.
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on May 22, 2013 19:56:34 GMT
You need a small battery powered radio,tuned into radio 4.human voices will keep them away.it doesn't need to be very loud either.
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Post by robmac on May 22, 2013 20:38:28 GMT
You need a small battery powered radio,tuned into radio 4.human voices will keep them away.it doesn't need to be very loud either. Radio 4? The chickens would probably rather face the fox!
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Post by Doodles on May 23, 2013 7:29:26 GMT
Thanks for all the concerns greatly apreciated rob and ellisboy thanks for the chuckle was needed :)Wont punish the chickens with radio 4 might let them listen to talksport Well i went to the local timber yard and purchased 48 pieces of cls timber and gave them to my friend who has promised to buld me chicken alcatraz. It will be 16 ft by 16 ft by 24 ft.So not only will it be safe but will also be pretty big
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Post by wildman on May 23, 2013 9:45:02 GMT
wire needs to be not only a foot down into the ground but also extending at right angle at the bottom, weld mesh obviously much better than chicken wire. We lost 100 chickens in on night to a mink on a killing frenzy, it just chewed through the chicken wire
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