Fox can’t get into coop, but keeps returning

[GonzoTheGreat]

I have a similar issue. I know foxes come by and check out my coop. There are at least 2, and the one has come through my yard for years because it has a unique tail. I also have a rabbit that is usually in my yard at night, so they might be coming around making a run at the rabbit as well.

From what I can tell, they've only tried a couple times to work their way in, and all they did was chip away some wood around a window.

After the last instance where I saw damage, I put a camera out to see what was going on. The foxes don't come every night. They sometimes come by and seem to pay little attention to the coop. You can see them sniff in its direction a bit, but then keep strolling. A few times they seem to pay no attention to it, and just walk through the frame.

The couple times they did zero in on it when I had a camera out, they didn't really do much but poke around. Sniffed around the bottom, jumped up onto the nesting box lid and checked that window (hens are inside there, and where they previously chipped some wood away), but didn't do anything but sit there briefly. One night the fox hopped onto the roof from there. But again, they didn't really do anything but "inspect".

I didn't build my coop, it came with the house, but it seems pretty hardened against these guys. There is steel mesh in every opening and around the run, so they'd have to remove a good amount of wood to break into the coop or run itself. The structure sits on cement blocks so I don't think anyone is digging under to get in. I'd welcome any thoughts on other angles to consider to harden the coop.

At this point, I don't see how they'd get in, apart from spending hours chipping away at wood, and so far the foxes do not seem anywhere near that level of dedication. Hell, it took 4 years of being here before I saw any evidence they cared about the coop. I'm going to keep the observation camera up and see if they change tactics at any point.

 

[Birdsong 82]

I had a several fox dens around my property when I moved in. They got a few of my smaller chickens and was carrying one off when it realized it was a jersey giant and just too damn heavy to carry through the words to the den and had a whole ripped in her back to where I could see her organs. But she was survivor! But yeah, I do have one that just walks back-and-forth at the back of the chicken coop where it can’t get in at all. but it’s almost like the fact to just get them riled up and scared.

 

[Birdsong 82]

How your fox issue going?

 

[NC_Quail]

How your fox issue going?

Sorry, I forgot to update my own thread! Thankfully, the fox hasn’t been back since I posted this thread. We didn’t do anything, but maybe something happened to it. I’m sure it’s because my brave chickens scared it away =). However, we are keeping our eyes peeled and will implement these suggestions if we need them. Thank you everyone for your advice and support!

 

[Themellowyellows]

Can you maybe get a live trap and set it next to the coop? If the fox is pacing around the coop and goes into the live trap to investigate it, it could get caught, and dispatching a fox in a live trap would be much easier than trying to get one that is free to run away.

If the fox doesn't get into the run, I would expect it to keep coming back, but less often over time (the fox doesn't want to waste its own time on a hopeless cause, but keeps checking in case there is a change that will let it get the chickens.)

I agree with taking it out, but if she wishes you can try to relocate it.

 

[delflipz17]

I would suggest picking up a used crossbow, probably can find one on marketplace for 50-100$. You could remain within your residential laws, while basically still retaining the power of a firearm below 50 yards. Much easier to use as opposed to a conventional bow and has much greater stopping power. I have shot a fully grown buck at 40 yards with the crossbow and it dropped over dead instantly. They sell training blocks at most stores and have nice pulleys that make drawing the bow easy.

North Carolina laws are very friendly to crossbow users. More than even my state.

North Carolina crossbow laws allow the following:

1. Crossbows can be used during bow and arrow hunting season, open, gun, archery, and muzzleloader season.
2. It is illegal to take down migratory birds with a crossbow.
3. Crossbows can be used for hunting on Sundays without considering the restriction applied to firearm hunting.
4. There are no laws prohibiting the open carry of a crossbow in public

 

[Lavender Wraps]

Fox are clever. If it’s returning every morning you likely have a den nearby. Get up earlier, dress warm and camouflaged, and take her out. She will eventually stress the flock to ill health or death.

I had my chickens outside of their run as usual when, my son called me to come quickly. The neighbors 2 hunting dogs were attacking and killing my chickens. A few ran and hid while others ran in confusion. My son had one of the dogs in his sights but did not shoot as he had not checked with me as what action to take since they were are neighbors dogs. They ran off, back home. Some chickens were already dead while some were seriously injured and had to be put down. This broke my heart as I raised them from chicks. My Bantams were in their pen so they were safe, or so I thought. Several came down with sever diarrhea and died. It was from shock of what had happened. My Bantams are super close to me, they would come when I called their name, eat out of my hand, sit on my lap.

Now I sadly keep my chickens in their run so only the hawks can get them, tusk! My chicken run is quite large so impossible to cover it. They are not happy living inside the barn, they loved running around the property in search of bugs and a new dust bath. I miss watching them outside their pen.

 

[Lavender Wraps]

I had my chickens outside of their run as usual when, my son called me to come quickly. The neighbors 2 hunting dogs were attacking and killing my chickens. A few ran and hid while others ran in confusion. My son had one of the dogs in his sights but did not shoot as he had not checked with me as what action to take since they were are neighbors dogs. They ran off, back home. Some chickens were already dead while some were seriously injured and had to be put down. This broke my heart as I raised them from chicks. My Bantams were in their pen so they were safe, or so I thought. Several came down with sever diarrhea and died. It was from shock of what had happened. My Bantams are super close to me, they would come when I called their name, eat out of my hand, sit on my lap.

Now I sadly keep my chickens in their run so only the hawks can get them, tusk! My chicken run is quite large so impossible to cover it. They are not happy living inside the barn, they loved running around the property in search of bugs and a new dust bath. I miss watching them outside their pen.

We have fox holes in our pasture, close to the barn. They have not been a problem, yet, lol!