Best way to trap and kill a fox?

[Allie Grace Sanders]

This fox has killed 8 of my birds. Once in the early morning he got two (most of the breast meat was eaten. Next, two days later, I found a pair of legs that had been gnawed down to the bone. Next, there were scratch marks on my porch and a trail of chicken feathers leading to the woods. After that, I have found different feather piles and trails on four occasions. There have been sightings of a coyote, a raccoon, and two sightings of a giant red fox. I am almost positive it is the fox, though. Any opinions on how to get it?

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

First of all, I am so sorry for your devastating loss!

I would definitely set up a trail cam and see if there any local trappers or hunters that would help you.

Best of luck keeping the rest of your flock safe!

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Bump. Will a fox go into a live trap? Maybe use a live chicken as bait?

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Bump. Will a fox go into a live trap? Maybe use a live chicken as bait?

Works for some, never worked for me though. Your best bet is to get someone out with hounds to kill them, I had a fox problem last year, got a hunter with hounds to come and they were all wiped out within a day.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I’ve used a live trap with a dead chicken but that also attracts other scavengers. If you use a live trap, make sure to use trap soap on the trap to eliminate your scent and cover it near the coop also it looks like an entrance. Foxes are very skiddish with smells.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Havahart has many sizes

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I use leg traps caught two so far...kept the tails on both lol

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I use leg traps caught two so far...kept the tails on both lol

Leg traps may be illegal where they are at. They are also ethically cruel.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Leg traps may be illegal where they are at. They are also ethically cruel.

Okay, so let's clarify a couple of things:

First there is not really any trap properly called a "leg trap"... what is generally called by that name are properly called "coil spring" traps, or sometimes "foot hold" traps, although people confuse the term "foot hold" with "dog proof" traps.

Secondly, a properly sized coil spring trap catches the critter across the paw pad, and should not do any damage to the foot... it will make the toes numb, etc. though. There are even specialty coils springs called offset and padded coil springs, that have a softer catch to be even more safe. So it's generally not the use of the trap that is cruel or unethical, it's the misuse of the wrong size trap that causes issues.

I've caught and released many critters in coil spring traps, including some incidentals such as domestic dogs, and even a bald eagle once, and let them go with out harm to their foot or leg. Using a properly sized trap for the target animal is key.

But to answer the OP's question, the most effective (best ) trap for catching a fox is a coil spring trap... but the use of these traps typically takes a bit of experience and skill to use effectively, and there are regulations that might apply to their use depending on the location.

Cage style traps can be used for fox, but it can be much more difficult to get them to commit.

 

[Howard E]

This method is probably a good one to follow for those of us who are not experienced trappers............

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/i-caught-my-fox-updated-now-with-the-video.677983/

Go to post #9 to see the video..........