New Homemade Fox Trap (But Will It Work?!)

We have spent a lot of time and money on fencing out the foxes - and we will continue to do that. Undergound netting, six-foot high chain-link fencing, electric fencing - the works. But you need to understand that fences start deteriorating the moment you put them up. Sooner or later some part of them WILL fail. We just have to hope that we see the damage before the fox does.
From that point of view, the smaller the pen/cage/run is, the better. But if, like us, you want the animals you look after to have a great life, then you want a big run for them to explore. We keep ours in the soft-fruit orchard - and that means lots of fencing.
We don’t own a gun. And we don’t want to either. Anyway, they’re expensive and not easy to get here (we’re not in the U.S!).
We’re not interested in hurting the fox. So obviously we aren’t going to use snares or gin (leg-hold) traps for that reason. Apart from the cruelty involved, there’s no way to make sure a badger isn’t caught. Or a dog. The same goes for poisons - except it’s worse with poison because you kill everything that eats the dead animal too.
What will we do if we catch the fox? The plan is to take it somewhere else and let it go (would you like a fox? For free!). The fox population fluctuates a lot and territory boundaries move constantly - the fox would have a chance of finding a new home, at least. Of course, a new fox will quickly replace the one we moved - but it might take her a long time to find her way around our place. (Our aim is to get rid of the one who could write a detailed thesis on our place, our livestock and our movements!)
This is my first live-bait, live-trap design - feel free to suggest improvements. But first of all - do you think it will work?!
Ok, here are some important website links. Please check them out..
Here's Tim's amazing guitar machine..
www.chordelia.com
here's our online store where you can see some of the craft things we make and sell..
www.wayoutweste...
and here's our Patreon page where you can see more of our plans and dreams. (Remember even 5 dollars would make a BIG difference to us and we'd be very grateful.)
www.patreon.co...
and finally our FaceBook page / way.outwest.524 (Not quite sure what to do with this but we put photos and extra comments when we get around to it..)
Thank you!
Sandra & Tim
[e-mail]
Copyright WayOutWest. All rights reserved. Please share if you like, but don’t copy or use without permission. Just get in touch via email blowinblog @ gmail.com
Don’t steal our stuff!

[@WayOutWestx2]

We have spent a lot of time and money on fencing out the foxes. And we will continue to do that. Undergound netting, six-foot high chain-link fencing, electric fencing - the works. But you need to understand that fences start deteriorating the moment you put them up. Sooner or later some part of them WILL fail. We just have to hope that we see the damage before the fox does. From that point of view, the smaller the pen/cage/run is, the better. But if, like us, you want the animals you look after to have a great life, then you want a big run for them to explore. We keep ours in the soft-fruit orchard - and that means lots of fencing. We don’t own a gun. And we don’t want to either. Anyway, they’re expensive and not easy to get here (we’re not in the U.S!). We’re not interested in hurting the fox. So obviously we aren’t going to use snares or gin (leg-hold) traps for that reason. Apart from the cruelty involved, there’s no way to make sure a badger isn’t caught. Or a dog. The same goes for poisons - except it’s worse with poison because you kill everything that eats the dead animal too. What will we do if we catch the fox? The plan is to take it somewhere else and let it go (would you like a fox? For free!). The fox population fluctuates a lot and territory boundaries move constantly - the fox would have a chance of finding a new home, at least. Of course, a new fox will quickly replace the one we moved - but it might take her a long time to find her way around our place. (Our aim is to get rid of the one who could write a detailed thesis on our place, our livestock and our movements!) This is my first live-bait, live-trap design - feel free to suggest improvements. But first of all - do you think it will work?!

[@jamesboyle1038]

Well done Tim you have to try something seems as good a plan as any. I thought the old bate trap was a great idea and badgers do like a bit of chicken too

[@sosteve9113]

very nice constructed trap,en very well placed well done atb steve

[@rubygray7749]

We don't have foxes here in Tasmania. Never have had, even though the original English settlers brought various invaluable species from home with them such as scotch thistles, starlings and rabbits, which all became major pests here. But we did recently have a "Fox Eradication Task Force" which spent many millions trying to catch those non-existent vulpines, and it must have been money well spent, because we still don't have any foxes!! Of course we do have other native rabbit-n-chicken-slaughtering critters such as Tasmanian Devils & Quolls, and would still have the unique & wonderful Tasmanian Tiger if the settlers hadn't thought it such sport to trap 'em & shoot 'em to extinction. And snakes of course. All of ours here are deadly, some of the most venomous in the world. Good luck with your fox probs, and be thankful you at least have no snakes!

[@gotg1733]

Hi.

[@geraldinewillis5926]

Way Out West Blow-in blog i

[@solidwoods6995]

Howdy Only thing I saw is the door is bouncy . If the Fox bounces the door he could grab the sides/bottom and lift the door to escape. If the door/door frame were built on about a 15degree angle , that would work against the Fox . or a light weight spring , just enough to not let the door bounce. I use the same method with a commercial made Live trap. I'm in N. central Tennessee and we have Fox/Coyote/Racoon/Opossum/Hillbillies .

[@citrinecolubrid3939]

solidwoods hillbillies 😂

[@mrazik131]

Good point man smart

[@russellmoore1533]

A magnet to hold the door lightly shut and to stop it bouncing.

[@WayOutWestx2]

You could be right - although the frame is 2 inches deep so it would need a big bounce to clear that

[@graceaxisa4213]

What an ingenious idea and so carefully planned! Tim, I really admire your explanation, at the beginning, of why you need to do something about your fox problem - very wise and sensible. Here is Australia, foxes are such an issue; devastating native wildlife and habitat, as well as making farmers' lives a misery! Oh, I so loved your enactment featuring Sandra sniffing around the trap door and attempting to get in. Hilarious! Finally, the two of you are so kind; creating such a beautiful, natural environment for your poultry. All the best in your endeavours!

[@amarildokupi488]

This is great ! You're the best Tim&Sandra . Hope your geese haven't been damaged from foxes and don't forget to post some videos with them 😁😁🦆🐝🦆🐝👌👌

[@tuckernielson1]

Well done. In my neck of the woods we have a problem with Coyotes (which we pronounce Kai -Yoats). The ranchers hate them because they are big enough to take sheep and they, like foxes, are very clever and elusive. I've found that a baited trap (I used an old dog carrier) that holds them unharmed for a night is enough to scare them away forever. A Park Service Ranger saw my contraption and called it a "harrasement trap". I think you've got the same idea.

[@satoyamaperfecture1289]

Love ur approach of not hurting any animals.

[@jenetikitty]

What a clever idea! Let us know how it works! thank you so much for being kind to nature! a fox is only doing what a fox does!

[@faded_ink3545]

Good luck with the fox! On a side note I recently got back from a trip around Germany, and now that it's coming into the winter months and I'm craving some comfort food I've been following Sandra's recipe videos, particularly her incredible saurkraut one. So thanks a million for keeping this poor university student from relying on takeaways and microwaveable meals!

[@WayOutWestx2]

Yep, winter's coming all right. Stay warm!

[@mastergeebo]

Good luck. I hope it works out and your girls are safe.

[@billsmith305]

Oh ,wow fox in red top,wouldn't mind catching a couple,lol ,well done

[@heidiroberts6094]

Clever idea! And Tim, that's so neat that you think of Sandra as such a "foxy lady". :o)

[@WayOutWestx2]

I certainly do : - )

[@rutgerw.]

Good thing the chickens don't know they are part of your trap and hopefully it won't be too traumatising for them once the fox is in ;-p

[@brothyr]

it will result in the finest eggs though.

[@rutgerw.]

The finest scrambled eggs that is!

[@MsMesem]

The chooks will all have heart attacks ...

[@Hylanda11800]

Tim, Your thought processes to use live chucks to "bait" the trap, are downright frighteningly devious, Your"e scary Tim really scary. LOL

[@g00171227]

Great video as always Tim!!!

[@JohnDoe0329]

Hello, how does this design work? I need to make something like this too. I constantly have visits from foxes and I don't want to use traps that hurts them. I think I go use a big rabbit hutch and a box trap inside. Best regards, Richard

[@samerbako2358]

Oh hi Tim and Sandra I am a big fan of your KZbin channel and I would like to see all of your lovely chickens

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks - we'll make another video of them one day - if the fox doesn't eat them first

[@cncbuss1]

Best of luck keeping your hens safe guys. Good design Tim!

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, Claude. No fox yet, though.

[@fortitudethedogwalker6273]

Make sure to update us when you catch one.

[@thomaskafka9806]

I enjoyed your video as much as I did your description, you seem like two lovely people. I stumbled across this video, after having my chickens relocated to the house of Mr Fox, he took all four of them which was kind of him (I'd like to imagine they're all living peacefully together, breaking all stereotypes of fox and chicken being enemies). Any how, I will now continue my binge of your videos. I have subscribed and put the notification on for new content, which I hope you are still making. Thank you, take care.

[@pauloalbertovamosfalardequ6976]

I love your videos. I perceive the affection and happiness of you.

[@moniquewright312]

Nice trap! Do agree with others that the door is to bouncy. I would have something on the door that would show that it was disturbed. You would know then that the fox was to cunning. Good luck!

[@whotoinfinity]

I so wish we were neighbors... you both seem so cool!

[@tropifiori]

You are a brilliant fabricator. I would have never have though of that. Maybe I should do that with my ducks.

[@grahamrdyer6322]

How are you going to get the fox out after you catch it and I think it might be able to lift that flap up ?

[@Txnative7]

I don't see why that wouldn't work! Thumbs up! Now, the wait....

[@AB-dw4ok]

Very interesting. Good video. It’s been 4 years now. Have you had problems with foxes since then? Did your trap catch anything? I’ve been thinking of making a permanent non bated trap so I’m keen to hear how you got on. Pleased to stumbled across this doing my research.

[@WayOutWestx2]

No foxes in this trap - but that's because we moved the hens to another space. Good luck with yours!

[@lan9772]

Just lost my cat and her kittens to a few foxes that hang around my back pasture. Hoping ile be able to keep them away from now on.

[@benf5370]

I'm very curious if this has been a long term solution for this issue. It's pretty much what I've had in my mind since the other day when I was first visited from a fox. He's been back after I reinforced the coop and took another hen yesterday.. the last three are in a homemade coop on the garage till I rebuild what I have

[@shanek6582]

The fox will dig and bite and pull at the wire screen, should probably wire them to the frame on to and bottom better. That's not the main problem though, he'll get a toe or tooth on that wooden swing door and pull it open, you'll probably never know it was even in there. Maybe put a latch on the bottom that will catch?

[@AcidSplodge]

I'm with Shane here. Also the where the fox goes in the fencing isn't tied down to the trap and he could force his way out.The right hand side as it looked like there was a bit of give in the fence there and foxes can be thinner than they appear.

[@WayOutWestx2]

I tried hard to keep the gap between the plank and the frame down to 1 mm all around - and the frame is 50 mm deep so it would be very hard to get at the edge let alone pull it back far enough. But we'll see. Also the wire on the outside fence doesn't need to be connected to the trap as the trap is secure in itself. And lastly, the hens should tell us loudly when the fox is inside so I think he wont have much time for digging. That's the plan anyway!

[@shanek6582]

Cool, hope you make a video of the fox. I'm from WV and have trapped for over 25 years, I like water trapping best but catch several gray and a few red fox each year. If I had to estimate, I'd say I catch 6 grays for each red. Of course we use leg hold traps.

[@63256325N]

Splendid idea, the trap door may present a problem as fox's are clever buggers and could very well hook that plywood with a paw and escape. Good hunting! Thanks for the video.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Yes, perhaps I should have used a bit of sheet steel instead?

[@63256325N]

Or perhaps some sort of latching mechanism. I'm certain you'll come up with something brilliant. ~

[@CrowdSurfingGeezer]

Brilliant! Live trap with live bait. Eager to see it work!

[@2adamast]

"I have a cunning plan"

[@stephenlarge1781]

Adamast is it as cunning as a fox that was professor at Oxford university

[@nancypicone8312]

Was that quote from Baldrick of Blackadder fame?

[@stephaniestevens4968]

I just found your blog when I was searching about videos for processing beeswax, and fell in love with it. I’ve been binge watching to catch up to present day. I’ll probably be kinda bummed when I actually get caught up and have to wait a week or so for the next video, but I can’t seem to help myself. 😊 Anyway, we have 14 chickens here in West Virginia, and we have plenty of foxes, coyotes, bobcats, weasels, raccoons, opossums, black bears, hawks, owls, and eagles to contend with, and some say mountain lions are returning to the area, too. We haven’t tried traps. There are just too many different types of predators to deal with. We’ve found the best deterrent, besides a good fence and sturdy coop, is our Great Pyrenees. When we moved here our birds spent a few weeks at my in-law’s chicken run till we could get our backyard fenced and coop built. The second week after the fence was installed (still before we brought the birds here) a gray fox got inside the fence. The dog went crazy and got it cornered. We managed to chase it through a gate and it hasn’t returned. We’ve seen them in the neighborhood, though. Our neighbor behind us had a weasel kill over 20 of his birds in one night just before we moved in. Our dog has deterred opossums, hawks, and a bald eagle, too, and we’re pretty sure his scent has helped to deter the others. Anyway, I didn’t intend to write a treatise. I saw in a recent comment that you still haven’t caught a fox yet. I hope it all goes well!

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, Stephanie - we are so jealous of your rich biodiversity. (I realised after a while that your Pyrenees are not mountains but dogs - and then it made much more sense!)

[@stephaniestevens4968]

LOL. Yes, I probably should’ve said, “...our Great Pyrenees, Sebastian.” As for the biodiversity, it is great in a sense, but I’ve read that when European settlers first came here the wildlife was so dense that you could see hundreds of species roaming around just while strolling through the vast forests that existed at the time. Turkey flocks numbered in the hundreds, for instance. Now, many species keep themselves pretty hidden, and even in the country the main wildlife you see on any given day is insects, songbirds, vultures, squirrels, and rabbits. Coyotes are an introduced species. The government brought them here to replace the wolves and mountain lions that used to roam the area in order to keep the deer population in check. They became too numerous and a big nuisance for farmers when the apex predators were gone. I often imagine what it must have been like when there were forests full of trees here as big as redwoods teeming with wildlife. No honeybees, though-they were brought here from Europe. Not that Europeans were the only ones to blame. Native Americans had a significant impact as well. It seems we humans, though tasked as caretakers of the planet, sadly seem to have greatly misunderstood our mandate for most of our history.

[@6709LeftzBehind]

I think it'll work! very cute little hen house

[@brendancanavan5841]

Excelant! I cant wait to see the result.

[@STOG01]

Those fluffy dinosaurs :)

[@Sludgepump]

Would love to see a video of you extracting Mr. Fox once he's inside. I once watched my very clever cat get past a one-way door by tapping it very hard and then quickly getting a foot behind it as it bounced. Took her a few tries, but she got it eventually. (My other very daft cat used to watch her do it and still never caught on). I have a suspicion that your wily chicken munching friend might figure this out too.

[@WayOutWestx2]

You could be right - although the frame is 2 inches deep so it would need a big bounce to clear that

[@Sludgepump]

That would need a big bounce. I hope it works. A painted "Free Chicken Dinners for Foxes" sign might help him find the door!

[@henrymcmahon7927]

Very clever concept, I love it!

[@ozosborne9716]

I'm basically going to copy ur trap dam good idea. My only alterations to ur design will be a spung clip at bottom of door securing it once opened and swung shut

[@PeUrmeleMantuitorului]

Wonderful video! 😊😉😎

[@TheMrWoodsman]

Here in the Isle of Man we don't have fox, badgers or squirrels but we do have the second largest population of Wallabies with Australia having the biggest.

[@Noote54]

New Zealand has a large population of wallabies as well and at times sends them back to australia

[@TheMrWoodsman]

Noote54 Made me laugh!

[@WayOutWestx2]

I'll let you know if we catch a wallaby

[@ingridmaeve43]

And there are no kangaroos in Austria.

[@user-sk4nt5bm5r]

Thanks for the nice video. How do you get the fox out once you catch one? And what do you plan to do with it?

[@AngelLuisTrinidad]

He'll get it out through the trap door, and he plans to roasted and eat it. Nothing will go to waste.

[@craigmooring2091]

Very likely to succeed, simple design, low maintenance, and require bait checking. keep us updated, please.

[@Zeemike1]

Pretty clever design I hope it works. It solves the problem with bait and the capture mechanism. Let us know if you catch a fox.

[@makingitthrough190]

It might work as long as no one emails the fox with a link to the video!

[@WayOutWestx2]

Ha!

[@josketobben]

Stuff spreads like mad on Foxbook!

[@chloemaryfrew4652]

😂😂

[@onedazinn998]

You guys always solve problems creatively - love your solution! Foxes are the one predator I hear a few times a year & see running by, but satisfy their appetites by tons of mice & voles in the creeks & fields behind our fencing...luckily I only have to worry about hawks, raccoons, possums, coyotes, & neighbors pack of dogs... everyone loves chicken. ;)o

[@WayOutWestx2]

Oh dear! It's true: we have very few wild mammal species but there's an upside to that too : - )

[@ladym6738]

That is brilliant.

[@malcommountie4326]

A motion camera setup would be nice.

[@halfmt4643]

I remember that old trap made out of a shopping cart.

[@TheGypsyVanners]

Ah yes! How my Cuban grandmother would explain we should always look to feed and water any animals dependent on us - she felt that God had given us a "duty of care" for all animals we took out us His care (as a wild/free creature) - before we looked to eat or drink ourselves...

[@ianmccoll7907]

except god/s don't exist.

[@adolfojg1]

what will you do with the fox once you have it?

[@springwoodcottage4248]

Over in the U.K. we lose similar amounts of poultry to weasels/stoats/mink as to fox and need fine mesh on the floor & sides of hen arks to keep them out. The poultry that are the least trouble from this are peacocks & guinea fowl that roost in trees. My dogs lust have guinea fowl dinners, but the fowl are easily up & away before they get to them, then they squawk & carry on from their tree perches indignant about being chased from their own grazing. Meanwhile Bambi is living well on what he thieves from the vegetable garden. Sometimes it's like running an inverse prison camp trying to keep hostiles out.

[@WayOutWestx2]

No weasels in Ireland, but stoats are a problem, for sure. We'd love guinea-fowl, but they don't lay many eggs..

[@georgevangordonjr8963]

I think you quite a clever fellow.. if that is the only way the fix can get into the property is through that hole in the fence I think perhaps you should have also put a door on both sides of the trap just in case he is not getting on your property through that hole in the fence

[@nigelmonaireo5024]

I think it's good I think it will work

[@JH-lz4ky]

Iv heard donkeys guard well against foxes

[@marthaanderson2656]

not sure the top part chicken wire is strong enough. If fox jumps up and grabs hold, looks like it would pull a gap easily. Stronger gauge available? how will you get fox relocated?

[@WayOutWestx2]

You might be right but I ran out of the heavier mesh. I thought we'd just put him in a sack and take him in the car? Will that work?

[@rebellucy5610]

Foxes are so elusive. I have motion security cameras in my yard that catch just about anything but for some reason a tip toeing Fox just strolls by and the cameras sleeps. Sneaky creatures for sure! Good luck with the trap.

[@treenopie]

So simple...clever. :)

[@chrismorrow1467]

Can he then see the hens still or just the smell really? Only worry is when in he will go ballistic and freak the hens out?

[@leslievalenciano-lopez8887]

Great trap!!! How did it work out?

[@johnosullivan675]

I tried something like this many years ago to catch a mink that was killing my poultry. I used a commercially built mink trap and installed it in my chicken coop. A few days later I saw the mink killing my chickens in broad daylight and I chased it down and killed it. So I never actually got to test my trap setup, but I think it's a good idea. One possible problem with your design is that the door hangs vertically which would allow wind to move it enough to let the fox get his nose in the gap and escape. If the closed position was maybe 4-6 degrees off of vertical it would be much more difficult to open from the inside, and only a tiny bit more difficult to open from the outside.

[@virginiasummer2619]

We struggle with fox and coyote, both clever and resourceful creatures. We also dont like killing them. We use a haveahart humane trap with some sucess / we cover both the floor and than pile brush over it. We mark the fox and release it but if the marked fox comes back then we will kill it. Most are smart enough not to. We raise chickens, turkeys, beef and pork so it smells good to them here. I think you have too much bounce in your door , otherwise your trap looks great. I think an anxious fox will work at it and pop it up if he has enough time. Your videos are very good.

[@scottgray6276]

Is the chain-link fencing going to be robust enough, not to be bent by the captured animal? I would wire it to those rebar pieces, next to the doorway frame.

[@WayOutWestx2]

The rebar uprights are close enough so the fox can't get passed them, even without the chainlink

[@terryannanderson8812]

Good luck

[@SethJurrens]

How are you planning on getting the fox out for transport?

[@barbaragehl3563]

Any updates? Did you catch one? We're having a fox problem with our hens. Would really like to trap it.

[@WayOutWestx2]

It became all grown over, so, no we haven't caught one yet. Electric fencing is probably the best way.Good luck

[@locouk]

How far away are you going to relocate the fox if they have such a big territory, isn't it likely to return?

[@WayOutWestx2]

Ten miles? What do you think?

[@locouk]

Way Out West Blow-in blog I've really no idea, 10 miles is a good starting point. If it returns, try 20 miles. If it still returns, you've got a homing fox 🦊

[@crg9603]

I like your channel

[@sburge1989]

How will you remove the fox if the house ontop is quite heavy?

[@trollforge]

The only thing I have to add, Tim, is I didn't see anything preventing the chickens from walking or roosting on the wire top of the trap. I would be worried about catching something and finding footless chickens.

[@WayOutWestx2]

More than half the floor is timber and there's a perch for them too, so if they walk on the wire they can always get away from it too

[@zorrorides1]

In Michigan we have many fox. Was trapping them with heavy drop box. Trigger box with same trip wire you would use for a snare. Took them to our wildlife service who would tag them and release in a protected area. Last 3 years large rash of rabid fox around State. Both my wife and later I was literally stalked by rabid fox. NOT JOKING! scary as heck. I shot both of them and turned them over to wildlife. The one that came after me was in the middle of the afternoon. Good luck with your efforts.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, Jerry. No rabies here, fortunately. Sounds frightening!

[@eckosters]

clever! And this was a year ago. Did it work?

[@WayOutWestx2]

we have to do some more work on the main hen-run, so we're waiting for winter when we can find the fences again

[@JustinC905]

Nice idea, nice trap! Did you secure the top and bottom enough for it to be moved once the fox is trapped? Will you release the fox outside of its territory? :D

[@WayOutWestx2]

I thought we'd try opening the door with a sack over it, and hope the fox goes in there. Yes, well away from here..

[@mrazik131]

What are you going to do with the fox then? Dog food or human food? Relocating?

[@Scranny]

Tim, there is no need to profusely apologize to possibly offended immature individuals who hold the liberal worldview that a person should be ashamed to protect their property and livestock (i.e. equivalent in the end to their own livelihood) from a threat which harms those things. Another great video, thanks! Still always clicking the like button before the intro ends.

[@SuperRiverRat1]

did you ever catch a fox since making/setting this trap?

[@OldGardenerGuy]

Once it is trapped how do you get it out????

[@nicholasjordan1697]

Old Gardener Guy - Finland I thought the same

[@soundsperfect9946]

This is cool, love it.

[@lloydmullins2658]

it seems that if the fox was persistant or just lucky it might be able to get the door to bounce back enoungh to make an opening that it could slip through. Maybe it needs a rigid mechanism that causes the door to close to prevent this.

[@joradcliffe565]

Might get juvenile or stupid foxes along with a few hedgehogs but don't think it will hold smarter foxes or badgers back from escaping. Hens might loose their appetites too, affecting laying. Hope i'm wrong of course.

[@tizzjohnson5889]

what do you do next when fox is in trap .......ask him not to come back ?

[@chriscardwell3495]

The fox will work hard at opening the door. Escape option 1 . . . If he smashes the trap door back hard against the frame it will bounce forwards - the fox then needs to catch the edge of the trap door with a paw and lift it. The hinge should be stronger than a zip tie . . . Escape option 2 . . . the fox may eat the plastic zip ties. Escape option 3 . . . . the wire frame ceiling is the next weakest escape route. Can you include an alarm which rings in the house when the trap door is lifted - this would limit the time the fox has to find escape options

[@mytubenowhahaha]

chris cardwell yup. Those were all on my list too. Flappy door, zip tie hinges and wire cage, but the floor is in three pieces and just placed there under the earth. She'll dig and lift the central floor panel. But before all that...will she push her way in at all? I doubt it...but she might.

[@WayOutWestx2]

The alarm will go off soon enough - the hens will tell us when the fox gets inside. And our bedroom is only 30 feet from the house, so I can't see the fox having time to figure out any of your cunning escape plans. But of course I could be wrong..!

[@halibut1249]

It's been 20 months since your swinging-door-under-the-hen-house fox trap video?? Did you catch anything? Even a mouse??

[@JamesYoung61]

I worry that the chicken wire that you put on top of the trap will not hold the fox as it didn't look sufficiently secured, once your fox is trapped he will test every aspect of your trap to both get out and get at the chickens above. Good luck.

[@WayOutWestx2]

thanks, James. The top wire is all secured down too, I just didn't show that in the video..

[@Miss-Laine]

What happens to the fox when you catch him?

[@MadMulberry]

Will the close proximity of the fix to the closed in hens not traumatise them excessively? I would imagine that they may die of fright having a trapped fox trapped so close to where they're enclosed with no means of escape.

[@WayOutWestx2]

I'm sure they would get very upset, but I don't think they actually die of fright. Better than being eaten though, I guess?

[@kirstenwhitworth8079]

I love it! Very clever, and well designed, it should be irresistible to a fox. However, I have a profound distrust of chicken wire as a predator-proof medium; I worry that the chicken wire roof may be too flimsy once the fox is in the trap. Does that chicken wire support the weight of all of the chickens? Won't they fall into the trap if they all stand on it at once? Will an anxious fox be able to destroy the plastic hinges at the top of the swing door? If you visit the hen house daily, I think the plywood door may be sufficient to hold a frantic fox, but more than 12 hours or so may be enough to shred the door with sharp, scrabbling claws. Best wishes fox hunting. Thanks for the video.

[@WayOutWestx2]

Thanks, Frank. We should be able to hear the fox/hens day or night and get there within minutes - that's the plan anyway..

[@georgegibson707]

Interesting trap door. Could very well work though I wouldn't be surprised if a desperate cunning fox finds a way out somehow. Perhaps you have seen this used successfully before though.

[@WayOutWestx2]

No, I haven't seen it before - so it's just an experiment..

[@maehay4065]

I hope it works for you folks 👍👏😍

[@AKG-e6j]

Btw did the fox get caught?😃

[@phil538]

I have built a hen house. Bricks and mortar. On the side of the building is a tiny fox door. Should Mr Fox go through the fox door he will find himself similarly trapped. I think your trap will be a success.

[@WayOutWestx2]

How long has yours been up, Phil? Any signs of interest from the fox?

[@phil538]

It has been up for a year. As Sod's Law would have it, no sign of a fox.

[@sohrkim]

How do you deal with mice and rats? It looks like a giant version of mouse trap :)

[@WayOutWestx2]

Rats are a problem every autumn - we've tried traps but we have had to resort to poison. How about you?

[@What..a..shambles]

Did it ever work?

[@reed5533]

Couldn't the fox bite through the wire while sat bored in the trap?

[@WayOutWestx2]

the hens will let us know once he's in there

[@benmatthews3732]

So, how is the fox trap working? (Bonnie)

[@WayOutWestx2]

No news yet, Bonnie. But I'm not expecting anything for months - it still smells of me and Sandra, for one thing...

[@benmatthews3732]

Way Out West Blow-in blog - LOL the whole chicken house smells like you and Sandra, and that hasn't stopped him! Ok, I will be patient. Bonnie

[@MT-tu8qd]

Can the fox jump to the pen ?

[@WayOutWestx2]

The fence is six foot high so we don't think so

[@samerbako2358]

Oh hi Tim and Sandra I would like to ask you what happened to your rooster and his 2 hens

[@WayOutWestx2]

The fox got them all : - ( And the baby goose too.

[@JanSzymonGoowacz]

I have hens, rabbits and fox and no fence. But i have good shepherd dog. If U catch fox under hencoop will be grate stres for hens. Maybe they for some time worse give eggs

[@WayOutWestx2]

better than being eaten though

[@JanSzymonGoowacz]

yep... for sure....

[@rchrdgrn]

Some sort of latch activated by the weight of the fox on the floor.

[@jordanclarke2001]

Have you caught the fox? I hope you plan on releasing it somewhere it cant get at your chickens anymore (with the help of forest rangers of course) rather than killing it

[@DrMunns]

Did it work?

[@WayOutWestx2]

Not yet - but we haven't lost any hens since either

[@DrMunns]

@@WayOutWestx2 the fox must have seen the video! Lol