Setting the fox trap

After losing three hens to a fox last Wednesday night we bought a sturdy, Australian-made fox trap for $320 from Kyneton.

The Strategy:
1. Place trap next to chicken coop, with door fully open and trigger mechanism set so that the door will not snap shut easily. Secure the trap with four tent pegs and place sand on the bottom so that the fox would not be walking on wire.

2. I sprinkled some seed in the trap so chickens can peck and poo in there during the day thereby overriding human scent.

3. I will keep the door ajar for a few days and not bait the trap. I want the fox to get used to the trap.

4. After 3 or 4 days I will place some meat in close proximity to the trap at night. If the fox doesn't eat the meat then the chickens certainly will the next day. I will keep doing this nightly until the fox starts taking the meat, then I will gradually place the meat further inside the trap, all the while ensuring that the door will not spring shut.

5. Finally, having gained the confidence of the fox I will place a piece of meat on the trigger mechanism which will be set to spring at the slightest tug.

6. Hopefully the end result will be a fox pelt for Sara, a $10 bounty for David, and surviving chickens.






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Location:Blackmore Rd,Woodend,Australia