If you are going to keep chickens, you need to understand that foxes are by far the biggest threat they will face, which is why preparation is key.

You only have to Google “foxes and chickens” to come across hundreds of articles, forum posts and blog comments from people – and even royalty – who have lost their chickens to a fox.

Foxes are extremely cunning and effective predators and, despite popular belief, can strike at any time of the day or night.

They do not kill chickens out of spite or because of some perverse “bloodlust”.

They are simply wild animals, hunting to feed themselves and their families, and are driven by instinct.

In my opinion, many people are far too complacent when it comes to keeping their chickens safe and wrongly presume that just because they have a chicken coop, that is all they need to do.

If you are going to keep chickens, whether in an urban garden or a country field, you need to accept that foxes are a common problem faced by all chicken keepers.

You should take some of the following steps to safeguard your hens, or risk losing them.

 

The 5 Things You Can Do To Deter Foxes

There are a number of things you can do to greatly reduce the chances of a fox attacking and killing your chickens. 

“Prevention is the best cure”, and by this I mean preventing foxes from getting anywhere near your hens in the first place.

 

Deter foxes from your garden using repellents.

Scent repellents which target a fox’s keen sense of smell.

They typically work by mimicking odours that suggest another animal has claimed the territory.

A fox’s instinct to avoid confrontation will usually cause it to move on elsewhere.

This is a relatively cheap and reasonably effective way of keeping foxes out of your garden and away from your hens.

You do, however, need to be a little more hands-on, as scent deterrents must be reapplied fairly regularly to remain effective.

One of the most popular and best-selling scent-based deterrents in the UK is a product called Scoot.

Recommended by The Fox Project, it is quick and simple to use.

You simply dissolve one sachet of powder in water and spread it around your garden using a watering can.

 

Using sound deterrents to stop foxes.

Another effective option is to target a fox’s acute sense of hearing.

This requires an ultrasonic device that emits a very high-pitched burst of sound designed to scare foxes away.

The sound is inaudible to humans but can be very effective.

Each time a fox crosses the motion sensor, the device is triggered.

While these devices can be more expensive than scent deterrents, they can be very effective and, once installed, require minimal ongoing effort.

One well-known example is the RoamRover. 

Designed to operate day and night, in all weather conditions, it is easy to set up.

The sound is inaudible to humans and has a detection range of around 10 metres.

By placing a few of these near your hutch or run, you effectively create an invisible and inaudible defensive perimeter.

Just remember to check the batteries from time to time.

If you combine sound deterrents with a scent repellent like Scoot, you can create a quick, effective and relatively inexpensive dual-sense deterrent.

There are also motion-activated devices that use a jet of water as a scare tactic.

According to Oxford Croquet Club, which experienced problems with foxes digging and fouling their green, a water-driven deterrent proved more effective than audio deterrents.

You may therefore want to consider this or a similar product, such as a jet spray repeller.

 

Build a fox-proof enclosure

One of the best options, and something I have done myself, is to build a large fox-proof enclosure.

It does not need to be a major or time-consuming construction project. My enclosure required one trip to B&Q and a few hours on a Saturday afternoon.

 

I have my coop and run set inside a corner of my vegetable patch.

Two sides are formed by our boundary fence, with 6ft x 6ft trellis panels and 2 x 4 wooden posts completing the enclosure.

Around the base of the trellis, I attached heavy-duty chicken wire to prevent foxes from squeezing through gaps or anything from getting out.

It is also worth considering adding fence spikes to the top of fencing, particularly if a neighbour’s shed is nearby.

I have seen foxes gain access to gardens by climbing onto neighbouring sheds.

Another important point to remember is that foxes dig as well as climb.

To prevent this, any poultry wire or fencing should be buried at least 10–12 inches into the ground and then turned outwards by around 8 inches.

Ideally, rubble or old bricks should be placed on top of the turned-out wire before covering it with soil.

Always use good-quality, thick-gauge wire, as foxes are capable of chewing through thinner materials.

 

Fox-proof your garden

Research by The Fox Project’s director Trevor Williams, and former fox researcher Andy Wilson suggests that around 75% of fox earths in London are located under garden sheds.

Other common sites include bramble patches, building foundations and disused structures.

They also note that an adult fox can squeeze through a hole as small as 12cm (5 inches) in diameter.

If you keep animals outdoors, regularly check your garden for signs of fox activity.

Block up old foxholes and ensure foxes cannot gain access under sheds or decking.

Look out for well-worn paths or entry points and block them using chicken wire, rubble or other suitable materials.

If you have a pet dog with an outdoor kennel, you may want to consider placing your coop nearby, as their presence may deter foxes.

This assumes you have a larger breed that is not equally interested in your hens. 

 

Secure your coop 

If you have purchased one of our chicken coops, you will know they come with removable nesting box floors and pull-out trays.

While this makes cleaning much easier, if you have foxes in your area, you may wish to screw down the removable nesting box floors, as a fox may be able to push them upwards to gain access.

It is also worth noting that pull-out trays sit on runners.

If a fox can get underneath the coop, it may be able to push the tray up or even pull it out entirely.

This unfortunately happened to one of our customers.

They had raised their coop on bricks for easier access, but this also made it easier for a fox to get underneath and force entry.

This is something to be mindful of.

I would also recommend adding extra locks to nesting box lids and ensuring your hens are securely locked away at night if foxes are active in your area.

If your coop includes a run, it is advisable to place heavy items such as paving slabs around the perimeter to prevent foxes from digging underneath.

You can also add a wire skirt, but this must be securely fixed in place using long, sturdy tent pegs.

 

Invest in electric fencing

Electric fencing is by far the most effective way to keep hens safe from foxes and offers the highest level of protection.

If foxes are a known issue in your area, this is my preferred and recommended solution.

Contrary to popular belief, electric fencing is neither cruel nor dangerous.

It delivers a short, sharp, harmless shock to the intruder’s nose, which acts as a powerful deterrent. 

Studies show that a single shock is usually enough to create a long-term psychological barrier.

Once shocked, a fox is very unlikely to attempt to dig under or jump over the fence again, even if it could physically do so.

You may feel that foxes are not a problem in your area and that your chickens will be perfectly safe.

However, many people who have lost their chickens likely thought the same.

Even if you believe foxes are not currently an issue, I still recommend taking some of the precautions outlined above.

At the end of the day, you are responsible for the welfare of your chickens, and the onus is on you to take the necessary steps to keep them safe.