Our first fox (solution found?)

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Sat May 12, 2012 10:59 pm

Hi, MrsM,

Foxes are bold take off with unsuspecting chooks in broad daylight in the Valley.

There is some one locally that builds coops, but not runs. I possibly have sent a PM to you the details in the past.

Depending on how much you really want to spend you can put your existing set up in high fenced dog run???

http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Pets-Hors ... P005085663

Foxes though will dig under and find a way to get to your chooks

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Sat May 12, 2012 11:01 pm

PS
Really, sorry to read about your dog ww

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Hi, MrsM

,

I had a rabbit hutch used as a nursery for The Pretty One and The Lavender Gang for the first couple of weeks that was placed inside the A Frame for extra security, thread below.

viewtopic.php?f=43&t=15481

I can only [smilie=a_dreaming.gif]

as it would be great to have both the A Frame and The Mansion both enclosed in a fox proof pen, and have a Maremma to guard them...

MrsM · **Joined:** Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:51 am **Posts:** 163

To make this easier, here is an example of what I am thinking of. Firstly, this is the current chooky home:

and this is what I want built, though perhaps not quite as large as this. I would want the floor and the roof covered with wire, and a door. I have plenty of dirt and stuff to throw around the ground so they arent walking on chicken wire (I know I can get chicken wire laid vertically along the perimeter but it would be far easier to attach the wire to the bottom of the fence.

If I do it that way, the chickens will have protection during the day, room to roam, and double protection at night. It will also mean that I can take down the fence I built for the veggie garden.

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Sun May 13, 2012 9:03 pm

What is your budget? You don't have to post that, but keep in in mind as it may as well blow out. Getting someone else to construct the pen/run would be rather costly. Once again go down to Excel Rural Fencing, or that new rural fencing place in Coldstream get some advice, a couple of business cards and quotes on the job.

Don't know if the Shire have fox traps, couldn't find anything on their website.

I think that I have mentioned on another post that I have read somewhere that human male urine and human hair around the coops deter foxes.

MrsM · **Joined:** Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:51 am **Posts:** 163

I did consider trapping them (if they do that here) but theres not much point. For every one that we trap there will be 3 more hanging around.

I havent really considered a budget yet, I do plan on getting multiple quotes and if all of them are considerably beyond what we can afford I will have to think about doing it myself (though I doubt it would be a very good job). I will double check to see if a coop extension for my actual coop is available, too.

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

You could always rehome and adopt a Maremma rescue

MrsM · **Joined:** Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:51 am **Posts:** 163

lol, no. We're not really dog people and its too cold for them to sleep outside during winter anyway. Plus, we'd need to dog proof all our fences so it wouldnt work out any cheaper, lol

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Maremma's are Italian sheep dogs; they sleep outside to guard their flocks from wolves.

MrsM · **Joined:** Fri Nov 11, 2011 11:51 am **Posts:** 163

Ok so I may have found my solution

$445 from ebay (inc delivery). Its 4m long x 1.8m high x 2.5m wide.

Its big enough to fit not only the current coop, but the second smaller one I grabbed from the neighbours when they put it out for hard rubbish. That means I can have the girls in their coop, and put any new chooks in the same enclosure but in their own coop so they are separated, and everyone will be safe! I can chicken wire the floor and roof of this fencing with no problems, and I have room for it.

Good idea? Pros? Cons? Any advice here would be most welcome.

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