Family of foxes?

Question

I was walking back from the aviary where I keep my falconry bird (common buzzard - not a pet and kept legally) the other day. A fox ran across the road, and I followed it to find a family of foxes. It was getting dark, couldn't tell how young the kits were. I don't want to harm them, but I don't want them to eat my bird. I also don't want to disturb them.

I thought of maybe conditioning them to hunt in the opposite direction by dragging food away from the aviary. They'd smell it and eat it, and if I did it repeatedly perhaps they'd learn that food was in that direction.

Or perhaps the aviary is fox proof already: it has a concrete floor and stable doors (I'm closing the top one at night now). There is a hole in the bottom that is blocked up with chicken wire and bricks.

Anyone know enough about foxes to tell me if my aviary is good and solid, or if not how to detract from it? Foxes are about 20 metres from aviary. I know there's other foxes around, but not a family as close.

First answerer: Good advice, I think I'll check it out and fox-proof the aviary as much as possible. Unfortunately whilst she could probably give a fox a thorough whacking during the day, at dusk and dawn when they hunt most she would be defenceless as she can't see then.

Second answerer: What's this to do with anything? The purpose of this question is not to start an argument. I am anti foxhunting, and have not seen any increase in the number of foxes in my area, mostly because foxhunting is a pathetic form of pest control anyway. But this is not an answer to my question: I'm not going to start a foxhunt in a housing estate. It's impractical even with all other connotations considered.

Answerer 3: Thankyou for your optimism, I love foxes and think they're very interesting. I plan to write a paper on them for my gap year. And, although you're right, they mostly eat small crawly things and things that we call rubbish, I have a few friends who have nearly lost birds due to attack by foxes, and one of my friends lost a red tail because a fox ripped all the tendons on its wing. I don't begrudge the foxes this, it's their nature and they have a darn hard life to lead. They don't understand that it's someone's hunting partner they've killed. They just see an easy meal: a bird in a cage fluttering around, or a very nice smell coming from a cage and a bird that will sit still while they work out how to get it.

They do eat chickens, too...almost every farmer you talk to has a horror story or two to tell. Nobody makes a fuss when they eat berries and frogs.

Answer 1

The idea that foxes eat chickens and rabbits is not very accurate. Of course they will eat such critters if they can - they are highly omnivorous. But the bulk of what foxes eat is insects, small rodents, small birds, and what they can scavenge.

Unless the birds in your aviary are injured, weak, or somehow vulnerable, I doubt they will be an attractive target for your foxes. Enjoy your wildlife viewing and rejoice that there is good habitat for them near you.

Answer 2

i would do some research (maybe consult with an expert) and make sure your aviary is as fox proofed as it can be, and not mess with the foxes at all. who knows what is in the direction you want to aim them at??
besides, a buzzard is not a chicken. i'm sure if it came to that your bird would hardly be helpless against the fox.

Answer 3

Don't you think that we should repeal that silly class-ridden anti fox hunting law? This is what happens when we interfere with the natural order. Those mangy scavenging foxes will be attacking babes in prams next.

Answer 4

better fortiry that chicken wire more