The dodger is the most venerate chicken - killer . It is wise , sly and savvy , and it strikes when your safeguard is down . Unlike other predators , foxes leave little grounds of an attack , but they will just as cleanly foot off your chickens as any other predator .
Part of what is so cunning about a George Fox is that it is assess your domicile , chicken coop , run and free - ranging area for some metre before it actually attacks . fox learn your docket , too : They watch to find out when you ’re home , when you leave , when the livestock guardians are off duty , when you let out your chicken , and when they spend sentence in the pasture or backyard . When a George Fox makes its move , it does so when it ’s certain that the coast is clear of man and other guardians , and preferably in the early forenoon hour or the evening , though they ’ve been recognize to attack during the day just as well .
Of the four types of slyboots determine in North America — the ruby-red , grey , arctic and kit — the reddened slyboots is the most common and the most probable to pay a sojourn to your coop . Although the four types vary slightly in visual aspect , habitat and behaviour , they ’re collectively turn over the smallest raving mad dog-iron on the continent of North America . What they all have in uncouth is their cunningness : Foxes are incredibly bright and learn promptly , make them take exception antagonist to outwit when they ’re set on having your chicken for dinner party . Peter Dean / Flickr
Luckily for chicken keepers , foxes will most probably be low on your lean ofcommon predators . However , there are always exception : If your home is situated near dumb forest or you have a large amount of property , it ’s potential that a vixen will make her den nearby and count your flock easy picking to eat to her young . It ’s authoritative to know that slyboots are rather territorial , so if you ’ve confirmed that there are any residing nearby , they ’ll belike be there awhile .
With red foxes dwell every state but Florida , it ’s better for the legal age of us to be ready for an attack rather than caught off guard . Foxes can climb , but they favor to excavate under fence . Red foxes can also swim , run up to 30 miles per 60 minutes and jump up to 15 feet in the air . More likely than these scenarios , however , is an attack lead when your flock is range unguarded . Foxes bide their prison term , stalk their fair game and impinge on when they note a unmarried bird — or a few isolated bird — far from safety .
Foxes Leave Calling Cards
Fox have part retractable claws that allow them to quietly abstract up on fair game . Once within striking length , those claws unwrap acuate talons for a quick and efficient capture . Although this predator is really part of the canine family , the fox ’s hunting style is more akin to that of a cat : It stalks raven , make its move by running quickly or pouncing , and then uses its incisive claws to pin down quarry . If a fox attacks a flock of chickens while they’refree - ranging , it ’ll in all probability snaffle just one bird at a sentence . If it gain access to a hencoop , the fox will kill and carry out as many birds as it can manage . mistrust that a George Fox is your culprit if you see some of the following clues :
If the tone-beginning happen in the coop , several birds may be missing and others may be spite , if only from attempt to flee the fox ’s grasp . Injured survivor will probably have abstruse neck or back puncture injury , some visible and some not . bruise survivors might also have broken wings or legs if they were restrict while endeavor to hightail it .
Defend Against Foxes
In some ways , the fox is an sluttish predator to protect against . However , in my experience , it only takes one slip - up — one forgetful moment or evening where you forget to put away up the coop that the slyboots consider and seizes its chance .
In the pursuit of keep your cubic yard or pasture orbit a low - mark zone , mow grass on a regular basis and keep brush cut back to reduce the cover that Fox apply while hunting . If your fowl range some space aside from your home or any other on a regular basis take human dwelling , make use of tall fencing with a buried margin . well yet , draft aguardian animal , such as a farm animal safety dog , to protect your flock . Our sept ’s Retriever - Shepherd mix , Winnie , is scarcely look at a safety gadget dog breed , but she is big and trashy , and she keeps predatory animal away every time .
Finally , mark that galvanising fencing , in my experience , does n’t seem to discourage slyboots very much : They ’ll either slip between the line or jump over it . They will also learn when it ’s on and if and when it ’s ever turn off .
Peter Dean/Flickr
If foxes frequent your area or you know there ’s a den nearby , attract out all the stops : Bury hardware cloth perimeters around the coop and draw and lock your birds up each Nox when they retire for the day . In my personal flock , I ’ve get word that these are the best precautions against the family of foxes that live on our property — once we moved out and non - dog - owning renter moved in , they catch a glimpse of seven foxes playing in the backyard , foot from where our chicken hencoop stood ! And as mentioned in the beginning , let your birds free - range of mountains with company only : get out a volaille - friendly domestic dog outside or be out-of-door to watch them if you know that these vulture are prevalent .
recollect , Fox are clever and they ’ll strike when your safety is down . They ’re overbold , and they learn quickly : Once they ’ve had a taste of poulet , they ’ll be back for more , again and again .
This article first appeared in the November / December 2015 issue ofChickensmagazine .
Vince Millet/Flickr
