snow/fox prints

[karminski]

went out and done the girls this morning at 5,45am and leading right up to the door of the new run with the banties in was fox prints its about the only thing i like about the snow as you get to see where they have been visiting thankfully no damage and they should not be able to get in .i was going to start taking down the other section of run the banties were in this weekend and finish making one corner of the new run fox proof but the weather put a stop to that good thing is though they need to try and get though the other run to get anywhere near the new run on this corner and thats still fox proof thankfully .

 

[chrismahon]

I do the same Karminski. Wander around looking for tracks. That's how I knew a big fox used to visit every night. It was a different one that killed our chickens though. Good for spotting rat runs as well.

 

[bantiekeeper]

Same here, fox prints all over the allotment and round the bantie run since the snow arrived. I have a routine now. Snow or not , when I go down in the morning I walk round the plot boundary banging and making a noise before I open the run door. The girls are only out in the morning for 15 minutes or so while I sort the coop out before going back to the safety of the run. They get a longer run out in the afternoon while I work on the plot. Have to be aware of danger all the time but it is all worth it in the long run.

 

[karminski]

this is the reason for me personallly that i dont agree with the automatic openers i prefer to go out each morning and each night to check everything is still secure and nothing has got in , they walked pretty much all the way round the big run but its the way the prints lead to the banties main door of the run then just turned round and went back but knowing they have been sussing things out makes you more aware only good thing about the snow really .

 

[Icemaiden]

Hi Karminski.
I like the VSB door openers / closers precisely because I know that the girls will be safely shut in after dark, even if I'm still at work.
I go up & check the run when I get home, but by then they're sound asleep inside the coop, with no cold draught.
Mind you, the coop's inside a (hopefully) fox-proof run...
I too saw fox prints around it in the snow, together with rabbit, cat & mouse prints, & a little mouse tunnel in the snow coming up inside the run. It's fascinating to see what prowls around your garden that you don't normally know about, & seeing the fox prints made me feel better about what the run finally cost 02

 

[karminski]

i agree with you on the cost of building a strong run , for me i think its the only reason why i like snow normally i cant stand the stuff but it is pretty much the only time you get to see whats been hanging around .