I've gotta kill that Fox!!!

[radioman]

good idea. start with a caged in area and then if time and money permits, setup a semi large free ranging area with fenced in area for them when you are home.

 

[radrock]

I've been monitoring your challenge since the beginning of your invasion. I use to have those exotic chicks. Silky,s polish top knots and I can't remember what else. I started seeing several dead in the pen one day and didn't really know why. I kept seeing a dead one here and there for several days. Then one day I saw two dead by the little door on the chicken house. I went inside and dang if there wasn't two or three more and a dang black snake with a very large lump in the middle of his belly. It was his last meal. They still kept dying off so I gave up on exotic birds.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

I've been monitoring your challenge since the beginning of your invasion. I use to have those exotic chicks. Silky,s polish top knots and I can't remember what else. I started seeing several dead in the pen one day and didn't really know why. I kept seeing a dead one here and there for several days. Then one day I saw two dead by the little door on the chicken house. I went inside and dang if there wasn't two or three more and a dang black snake with a very large lump in the middle of his belly. It was his last meal. They still kept dying off so I gave up on exotic birds.

I have a lot of black snakes. I've killed a couple too close to the birds. I was not aware they would leave dead carcass behind like that. I also thought they were only a threat for the smaller birds and chicks, and not the full grown birds.

Hmmm...

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Stick895]

Foxes are bad to have rabies. Coons too. If they come right up in the yard like that they are too habituated to humans, they need to go. I wish I were in a position to help.

 

[dmccarty]

... I am surprised though over the number of Guinea losses as they are decent sized birds...

Personally I would leave the foxes alone and build runs for the fowl. It's the only way to guarantee survival but I also understand the Guineas especially you'd like to free range as they get rids of ticks.

A neighbor bought 75 Guineas a few years ago.

The carnivore critters ate well for a year or two. I think they lost every bird. They now have chickens and there is one Guinea so I suppose it could have been one of the 75 but I doubt it. Most likely this one Guinea is a new one.

I would think the resident owls and hawks also took out some of the Guineas. Our chickens are in a Chicken TANK I built to protect them. The wifey came home one day and there was a hawk standing near the Chicken TANK trying to figure out how to get to the chickens.

The neighbors got the Guineas to get rid of ticks. We have so many deer and mice that there are ticks all over the place. Short of a fire in the woods or chemical application on the deer or mice, Guineas really cannot control the ticks at our place.

Later,
Dan

 

[JRobyn]

My FIL (across the field from us) has a family of foxes denned under his barn. It's about 50 yds from their cabin. They sit on the front porch and delight in watching them play. He actually takes them dog food! I have been trying to warn him that having foxes that close is NOT a "cute" situation, but to no avail. Maybe after a few of his cats go missing he will begin to get it.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Foxes are bad to have rabies. Coons too. If they come right up in the yard like that they are too habituated to humans, they need to go. I wish I were in a position to help.

Stick,

It is not that bad of a drive. Just between exits 110 and 118 on 95.

Feel free to come on down and help me look for them some weekend...

You will be welcome here.

David

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Our chickens are in a Chicken TANK I built to protect them.

Later,
Dan

Dan,

I am adding a door and 50' of welded wire and chicken wire to the front of my "Chikn Shak" to form an open topped "Chikn Run" where I can create a small fake pond for the ducks and the guinea's can fly to top, and fly out to go on tick patrol, and easily return. At night, foul weather, extended absence, etc, all will be locked into the "Shak" as they have been for over 2 weeks now.

This is my wife's suggested solution for the time being. I will add it's outrageousness to your Chicken Tank thread as I make progress...

At the end of the day, just like Stick895 said, those foxes have gotta go. Daylight raids etc there is simply too much risk letting them live.

Be well,
David

 

[radrock]

I have a lot of black snakes. I've killed a couple too close to the birds. I was not aware they would leave dead carcass behind like that. I also thought they were only a threat for the smaller birds and chicks, and not the full grown birds.

Hmmm...

Thanks for sharing.

Well those were banty's. I Guess the snake killed several to find the tenderest one haha

 

[dmccarty]

...

This is my wife's suggested solution for the time being. I will add it's outrageousness to your Chicken Tank thread as I make progress...

...

Outrageousness like the dining room furniture your feathered fowl friends have in the Chicken House? The corner shelf? Or the nice Chandelier? :laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan