Hello,

We had 9 chickens now we have 5 chickens. I know it is a red fox. I have seen it chasing the chickens. I never have trapped canines. I saw the post of chicken killing and they said to use snares. I can't find a trail. My chickens roam all over.

What to do?

Thanks

Pen them up and traps around the pen while you still have a few.

Check the laws to see what is legal in your state. In my state, you need a permit to trap and snares are a no no. Good luck.

I'd get a shotgun and flash light and wait till the chickens go to roost for the night and shoot the fox when it comes in to get another chicken.

Don't hate me but: I grew up with chickens coops right outside my window. If you took all the time that you spent collecting eggs, fencing them in, and butchering them, even at minimum wage you could buy all the eggs and poultry for a lifetime,

Now foxes on the other hand, will keep your yard free of mice, voles, rabbits, squirrels, ( Not to mention those smelly chickens ) and a host of other rodents that we charge for and that they do for free.

And the only thing you need to raise foxes, is a complete lack of the sense of smell, like me.

If you can't use footholds, pull out your biggest cages. Use a variety of baits (maybe even live bait), brush them in real good and you might get them before you get too many skunks and raccoons.

Right now fox are working hard to feed the litter so give them plenty to eat.

If at all possible, find the den. A little harassment works wonders this time of year.

I lock my chicken coop at night once the chickens are in. They are more pets than anything else. They will come up to you squat and spread their wings wanting to be petted.

Been having some difficult catching them myself! Raccoon's and opossum always are the first on the scene for me.

Seems ever since I been placing traps in the vicinity, the fox have left the area. Maybe they don't like the smell of OFF repellent? Tried my darnedest to stay scent free but so many mosquito's had to go to the blood bank and take a couple pints....Woke up in one area and don't remember how I got there... Thinking they carried me after they fed!

Tried dog food, chicken bones, gland lure, urine, ground mice, muskrat meat, cat food, kitchen sink.... Tried near coops, hay bales, high points, 2 track trails, field corners, scent post, dirt holes....

Some woman called and told me she used used kitty litter in dens under her outbuildings with success?

Well, I started looking for the dens today no luck. Kitty litter won't do me any good until I find the dens.

If you find the den a .22mag works very well and is quicker than hoping they set foot down where you want it. Hope you have better luck than me with fox this year.