Foxes are the number one predator of our chickens in the U.K (unless of course you live on the Isle of Man where there are no foxes!)
Foxes usually rip the heads off chickens and will kill as many birds as they can in a frenzy if they manage to get into a run or coop. Foxes usually get into a run by digging and squeezing under a fence or by going over the top of a fence. Fences need to be buried at least 8 inches deep with the wire then curled flat outwards by another 8 inches. They can clear a 5 foot fence with ease. Remember foxes are more like cats than dogs and can jump!
Foxes can also tear rabbit wire fences with their teeth – it is best to keep fences taught and ideally use the I inch rectangular wire as this is thicker, stronger and they can’t get their teeth into it.
They will squeeze through the smallest of gaps… but don’t take my word for it, this short clip shows him in action!
Foxes usually work alone but towards the end of summer, sometimes the Vixen will hunt with her cubs to teach them.
When are your chickens at risk?
Foxes are generally nocturnal creatures, hunting under the cover of darkness; however when there is a large population of foxes or a shortage of food as is often found in the urban environment, they can start to become a pest during the daytime. Young cubs that are just finding their own food often stay out until mid morning, I frequently see them playing on the bales of hay in the fields near my home in late June and July and from time to time they will come into my garden.
The winter is obviously a dangerous time for chickens when food is short, however the time when most of us get caught out is June to August. Cubs are learning to hunt on their own, will often come early evening or morning when it is light and don’t have the fear to stay away from us.
If your chickens free range, a fox may make a dash, grab a chicken and run off. During these risky times, you may need a small secure run to house them when you are out but there are other options. Electrified poultry netting works wonders at keeping them safe in a large area and you may be able to speak to your local game keeper if you have a problem fox that is very determined.
Do you have any advice on Foxes? Please leave a comment below if you do.
For the past week a fox or a coyote has been getting my chickens and I have tried to follow the trail of feathers but I can’t seem to find where the den is. I think it is two foxes with babies but I don’t know. What can I do to keep them away from my chickens? I have put them up for a couple of days but it doesn’t seem to work. What can I do?
A secure chicken run is the first step. Electric fences work well. A triple line run around the perimeter keeps foxes out.
Hi, last night our 2 remaining hens disappeared. I may have forgotten to shut them in (although I’m sure I did), but as they have a sliding door, it could have been pushed open somehow. There were a few feathers in the run, but no sign of any blood or anything. Could a fox have taken both of them? Last time we had a fox visit (about 4 years ago), it killed them all and left most of them laying in the run. I’d very much appreciate any thoughts on this, thank you.
Yes, a fox can use his nose to slide open a door if not secured. A few feathers may be all he has left. They usually kill and take what they want, coming back to collect and bury the bodies locally for later. If they get into a frenzy, they will kill all the birds in the run. If they are disturbed or not that brave, they may snatch a bird and run off.
If you have a good look around, you may discover disturbed soil where he has buried the other body, saying that, two hens to feed cubs at this time of year is not that much so maybe they just took them both.
Thank you very much. I was so convinced that I’d shut them in that at first I thought they’d been stolen (by a human, I mean!). Great website, by the way.
Hi,
We have had a problem with a snatch and grab fox and so we decided to put a scare crow out in the garden where the chickens live. He is just a pole with a deflated football and a set of overalls. However, the key has been to ensure that our scent is on the scarecrow – a scarf, gloves or a hat. We cover our scent onto the items every few days. This seems to have kept the fox at bay – for now!
The fox will be cautious of something new in the environment but it won’t take him too long to get used to it. It’s the same with flashing lights, they work… for a time.
I would bite the bullet and get yourself a good fox proof fence.
Hi
We are about to get chickens for the first time and have bought a second hand 2-in-1 coop and run which can be moved with carry handles. It is very solid and extremely heavy and the previous owner assured me it is fox-proof, but could a fox dig under the frame and into the run? Do you recommend I put an extra layer of strong chicken wire along the underneath of the run to be sure this can’t happen?
many thanks
I don’t like putting mesh on the bottom of a run as it stops the birds from scratching which is a natural behaviour.
If you have heavy soils, it helps to stop the fox. You could run an electric wire around the base, or put wire on the ground around the run, attached to the bottom of the run, at least 30 cm to stop digging.
We have just got an allotment. It’s already got a chicken shed with nesting boxes so i.m very lucky. The questions I want to ask are: Is Heras security fencing (the type around building sites) any good to use as a chicken run? I was going to use it for the roof of the run too connected to the chicken shed. Secondly, how many chickens can be kept in a shed that is 2m x 4m with run connected that is 4m x 6m? Many thanks in advance.
If it’s fox proof, I don’t see why not… That’s a good size coop. I would start with 6-8 hens and see how they get on. Larger breeds will need more space of course.