Our neighbor farm wants fox for killing rats

[Al Gerhart]

Foxes, like most animals, are territorial and will defend their hunting grounds so eliminating this one just means another will find the vacant territory and settle in. But it just goes to show that rats and wild birds do draw predators so controlling the vermin means predators go elsewhere as well.

If the fox is just passing by then I would say you are on top of your vermin control so make sure you have something better than chicken wire protecting the coop and let the fox do its job in controlling the rats. It might be unnerving having a predator hanging around but ask yourself what else might be hanging around that you don't know about.

 

[Debbie292d]

I don't know how much foxes go where other foxes are. Dogs will definitely do that, going where other dogs have done. But foxes don't seem to hang out in packs like coyotes or wolves would. So having one fox might actually keep other ones away, except for her own immediate family (mate and babies).

I live in an area where foxes go through lots of suburban backyards, and it seems like there are always the same number of foxes in a given area: a single fox or a pair at some seasons, the same plus cubs at other seasons. I don't know where the others go (move out or get killed by something), but it does look like a pretty consistent pattern over a number of years.

I was tempted to remove "the fox" at one time, but realized another would probably move in to take its place. So I decided that if the current fox is not causing big problems, it makes more sense to leave it, rather than deal with a different one that might be worse. If I get to a point where a given fox is a big problem, I'd remove it and hope the next one is better.

So having one fox might actually keep other ones away, except for her own immediate family (mate and babies).

Thank you! We can just let her go about her business then. Nothing albeit a bear can get our chickens at night, and that’s even doubtful.

 

[Seaslug]

I am having a very bad day -- just learned that my beloved 17 year old Jack Russel has bone cancer. But NatJ, Al Gerhart, and Debbie292d, I really appreciate these posts.

 

[MROO]

I am having a very bad day -- just learned that my beloved 17 year old Jack Russel has bone cancer. But NatJ, Al Gerhart, and Debbie292d, I really appreciate these posts.

I am SO sorry you have to through this. We just lost our little JR to the same thing, and she was only eleven. It doesn't matter how old they are, though, really. It's always hard to lose your Best Friend. Sending hugs and prayers!

 

[Debbie292d]

I am having a very bad day -- just learned that my beloved 17 year old Jack Russel has bone cancer. But NatJ, Al Gerhart, and Debbie292d, I really appreciate these posts.

I am so sorry to hear. I know personally I've loved a dog I lost more than most humans.

NatJ, Al Gerhart, and Debbie292d, I really appreciate these posts.

Yes, those two definitely taught me something and put me and my hubby's mind at ease.

 

[Seaslug]

Thanks guys. We got him because my father went over to South Africa and my father met a Jack Russel that chased after the hippos and nipped at their heels! Ours has not disappointed -- he has that spunk! I did not mean to hijack Debbie's thread -- it was just so nice to read a thread that did not advocate killing, especially on such a crappy day.

 

[Nym]

Guessing it'll be kind of futile trying to 'steer' wildlife to another trail.
If you don't want to trap and shoot, just make sure your coops and runs are safe so those rats are a much easier hunt.


Whenever someone mentions these the vivid image in my mind is a video of a fox sauntering by a coop with a couple of these flashing.

 

[Nym]

I don't know how much foxes go where other foxes are. Dogs will definitely do that, going where other dogs have gone. But foxes don't seem to hang out in packs like coyotes or wolves would. So having one fox might actually keep other ones away, except for her own immediate family (mate and babies).

I live in an area where foxes go through lots of suburban backyards, and it seems like there are always the same number of foxes in a given area: a single fox or a pair at some seasons, the same plus cubs at other seasons. I don't know where the others go (move out or get killed by something), but it does look like a pretty consistent pattern over a number of years.

I was tempted to remove "the fox" at one time, but realized another would probably move in to take its place. So I decided that if the current fox is not causing big problems, it makes more sense to leave it, rather than deal with a different one that might be worse. If I get to a point where a given fox is a big problem, I'd remove it and hope the next one is better.

A lot of ppl in the UK feed visiting foxes. It isn't too long before mother fox is bringing her pups along to show them where the food is!

 

[McChooky]

You can trust and believe local wildlife already knows you have chicken because they've likely tested your set up when you wasn't looking. I haven't 'had' to kill anything to protect my chickens and have only lost 2 that were free ranging

 

[MROO]

Thanks guys. We got him because my father went over to South Africa and my father met a Jack Russel that chased after the hippos and nipped at their heels! Ours has not disappointed -- he has that spunk! I did not mean to hijack Debbie's thread -- it was just so nice to read a thread that did not advocate killing, especially on such a crappy day.

Here's a smile for you ... I just had an interesting visual of a feisty little JR chasing hippos away from your coop ... and being VERY grateful that we don't have that particular predator, here in the US!