Foxproofing Ideas to Protect Chickens

mooodeng on 22/09/2023 - 06:42
Last edited 22/09/2023 - 09:54 by 1 other user

Ok I live on an acreage ~ 9 acres and have a recurring fox issue.

I have about 50 or so chickens and they usually stay within a fenced off area of about 15x30m. If the chicken coop entry isn't closed off after sunset, there's a good chance a fox or foxes will help itself with the chickens. It's not like it will only go after one chicken, it usually goes after multiple, which is what happened two weeks ago. I came home late around 10pm, and found that 9 of my chickens have been left dead by foxes.

So far I've tried:

  • Ensuring surrounding fence is complete and no gaps. Fencing I am using are those temporary fences you find at construction sites.
  • Burying rocks underneath the fence to stop it from getting in by digging.
  • Corrugated colourbond on fence to stop it from climbing.
  • Shooting with rifle
  • Automatic chicken coop door that works on a timer (sounds good in theory but the fox can easily open this)

Any advise will be appreciated.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • brendanm on 22/09/2023 - 06:48
    +3

    Unpopular opinion, you need to shoot the fox/es. .22 subsonic.

    • mooodeng on 22/09/2023 - 06:51

      I've tried, but I'm tired of playing the waiting game. I'm thinking of installing some cameras in the area that will notify me if it sees anything.

  • Loot N Plunder on 22/09/2023 - 07:07
    +2

    Lay a perimeter of chicken wire on the ground around their pen (1 meter width) this stops digging under.
    Our council actively baits so approach your council to see if it also has a baiting program
    Make a live catching pen for the foxes
    Electric fence
    Sensor lights

    You must secure the chooks in a pen at night

  • mapax on 22/09/2023 - 07:36
    +6

    I’m a professional predator controller, if you want to make a video of the area and PM me a link I can try and make some suggestions, although I’d really need boots on the ground to make any proper suggestions.

    You can modify some automatic doors to be fairly fox resistant.

    Talk to your neighbours about it, the problem won’t go away if you’re the only one controlling them. I’m presuming you don’t have a PAPP or 1080 endorsement? Perhaps one of your neighbours does and could help you with a shared baiting program.

    A camera is a good idea, also grab yourself a Silva and a few other brands of whistles and call the foxes to you so you can shoot them.

    Make sure there aren’t any dens on your land.

    I’ve got to go and take care of some feral cats but you can PM me if you have any questions and I’ll try to answer them.

  • MS Paint on 22/09/2023 - 07:57
    -1

    Shooting with rifle

    Is that even legal on 9 acres or your land zoning?

    Then again, there's plenty of other laws that you don't follow.

    • Mechz on 22/09/2023 - 08:22

      They're pests, who cares?

    • Benoffie on 22/09/2023 - 08:44
      +2

      Shooting isnt restricted by land size but by public safety, security and essentially other people's sense of fear.

      His nearest neighbours could be ages away and also shooters and so not liable to cause any concern.

    • cookie2 on 22/09/2023 - 22:00
      -1

      What does that mean?

  • holdenmg on 22/09/2023 - 08:33
    +2

    Offer up some of your Land to a KFC 24/7 Drive-Thru where you get a profit share.

    Let the Foxes pay with Tap and Go.

    Put some money into Vet Pharma that treats High Cholesterol in Foxes.

    Profit.

  • GG57 on 22/09/2023 - 09:09

    I'm concerned about the chickens TBH; I'm not sure they are being properly cared for.

    about 50 or so chickens and they usually stay within a fenced off area of about 15x30m…I came home late around 10pm (and hadn't housed them safely)

  • onetwothreefour on 22/09/2023 - 11:13

    If the chicken coop entry isn't closed off after sunset, there's a good chance a fox or foxes will help itself with the chickens

    I guess this is your answer, always ensure they are in the fenced area. If you're not going to be home until late you'll have to leave them in there all day.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/09/2023 - 11:17
    +1

    Arm the chooks!

    • MS Paint on 22/09/2023 - 11:25
      +1

      like this?

      • [Deactivated] on 22/09/2023 - 11:32
        +1

        lol - YES, all the better to handle the AK-47s

        The chicklets will be like this

        • singlemalt72 on 22/09/2023 - 12:43

          The order was given, turn cows to whoppers
          Enforced by the might of ten thousand coppers
          But on the horizon, surrounding the shoppers
          Came the deafening roar, of chickens, in choppers!

          Cows with guns - Dana Lyons

  • Davo1111 on 22/09/2023 - 12:17

    Automatic chicken coop door that works on a timer (sounds good in theory but the fox can easily open this)

    fix this problem

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