how to get rid of a fox

[dipper27]

please can u help me get rid of a persistant fox in my garden. Two weeks ago one of my cats was killed by this fox. I have two other cats (her 6month old kittens) and am frightened to let them out. I also have chicken.

[debbz1969]

Probably the most effective and permanent way would be a 12 bore shot gun!!!

[Breezy23]

Are you sure it was the fox that killed your cat? Foxes are usually very timid and unless they have cubs (wrong time of the year) they will run away rather than attack. With regards to your chicken(s), human hair is supposed to deter foxes so have a chat with your local hairdresser and hang some in non plastic bags around the coop.
You may like to take a look at the National Fox Welfare Society website for info, it may make you change your mind as to how you feel about them. Personally, I love them and have a visitor every evening. As we build further and further into the countryside we are then in their territory, not necessarily them in ours. We feed them, our neighbour keeps chickens, result - one full fox, no attacked chickens.

[divegirl]

Excellent idea debbz....hopefully you'll be in range when it goes off...one less tw*t in the world!!!!

Dipper...as Breezy says, foxes are not natural preditors of cats....unless they are extremly hungry and/or they have pups. A kitten can stand up for itself, and can, believe it or not, see off a fox!
If you have decided to keep chickens in an area populated by foxes then it is up to you to make sure that their runs are secure!!!!!

Good luck

Lisa x

[gelda]

Agree with Breezy and Divegirl, I found a kitten living with my foxes about 5 years ago, I used to go up to the wood to feed them and they would always stand back and let the kitten eat first, the kitten lived with them for about 10 days but as it was coming up winter and I couldn't find it's owner I got a friend of mine to find him a home. Foxes are frightened of cats generally, my friend's cat is always chasing them out of the garden, I just wish people would find out more about these lovely creatures and not keep treating them as vermin after all they are just wild animals trying to survive. I took some photos of one of the foxes feeding with the kitten but don't know how to post them.

[tooshie]

Hi, I worked for the RSPCA a couple of years ago and apparently foxes will not fight with cats but will have a go at a dog if needs be. The best deterrent is "wait for it" male human urine!!! No joke if you have a fox hole or a specific sight where the fox enters your garden spray around or in the area with wee.

[dipper27]

I have never had a problem with foxes and my hens, except a few years ago one dug up a hen which i had buried. My cat was attacked from behind as was evident when a neighbour and my husband found her. She was found in a neighbours garden which is secure to any dogs. I also like foxes but do not want my other cats to suffer the way their mom did. I have spoken to my vet and they said a fox will attack a cat, though not common.

[dot.hawkes]

possiblt the cat had a catch that the fox was after, with the catch in her mouth she would be distracted and confused in any attack from the fox. It makes sense if you have a fox that would dig up dead chickens.

[Kleiber]

I have cats and (unfortunately) foxes, but they've never come to blows. As for the chickens, I agree with the others - make sure your runs are secure (also protects from flying predators - we have goshawks here). I'll live and let live, 'till they start at my livestock (the foxes, I mean, not the hawks!) and then I'm afraid I'll go for the 12-bore, too. K x

[LoftyLottie]

I had a cat that was taken by a fox. The cat, however, was partially sighted. The fox came back for the other cat a few nights later, but fortunately we heard the awful noise and managed to rescue the cat. It was during a very harsh period of snowy weather in late March, and we assumed the fox had cubs to feed and was desperate.

[dipper27]

the fox was in my garden again last night. It is huge. it has been seen nearly every night at around 7-9pm. Last night my two other cats were out. At 7pm i called them in and the fox could be heard screaming, luckly i managed to get the cats in, but they were very scared. I dont know what to do

[LoftyLottie]

Firstly, I would shut my cats in as soon as it is dark and not let them out again until light in the morning.

Do you have security lights that come on when an intruder is about. Just a suggestion, but they might deter the fox.

I do feel for you and really wish I knew how to help.

I do not say this lightly, but do you know anyone with a gun licence that is a good shot. I believe foxes are classified as vermin and can be shot on your own land.

I actually like foxes - but in your position I might actually take this action to protect my animals.

[dipper27]

the cats are never let out after 8 0'clock with the darker nights this will have to be earlier. Yes we do have security lights, but our garden is over 200ft long, but even then the fox is not scared it just looks at us through the patio window.

[LoftyLottie]

Regrettably I really think getting rid of the fox by shooting might be the only answer.

Are you in a rural area? If so it might be worth approaching a local farmer or small holder.

If you are in a town, shooting is a lot more risky and probably less people around who have licenced shotguns.

[dipper27]

my husband does hold a shot gun licence and i think this may be the only way to go

[LoftyLottie]

Shame isn't it. But you must put your own animals first, especially as you know this fox has already killed one of them.

At least if your husband shoots it, you will know it was quick ending.

[jno]

any way of just keeping the fox out of the garden? I put trellis along the top of my fences, up to a height of a bit over 6ft, which seems to have worked; they're lithe but they can't fly. But my garden's only half as long as yours, so it might be a bit expensive.