Fox Cub Question

[RedRowan 0]

I don't usually deal with foxes so know very little about them, hence this naive question.... at what sort of age will fox cubs usually start fending for themselves? Know it sounds soft but would rather shoot cubs first. If I get a chance at vixen/other adults hoping I might be able to take them without feeling too much guilt.

[neil cooney 10,416]

Yesterday morning I found some unusual fur beside my chicken pens and after looking at it for a few minutes it dawned on me it was the light fluff of a fox cub.

The nearest litter is three fields away so this cub was doing some wandering.

The corn is starting to get tall so cubs mightn't be underground at all now so they're getting independent. They'll still be relying on their parents at the moment but by August cubs could be hunting for themselves.

[jackg 7]

If you shoot the cub(s) the vixen will move those left.

So shoot the vixen first, if you can, then dig a 3 foot hole by the earth and put the vixen's corpse in it.

The cubs then fall into the hole and cannot get out. Although they probably can by this time of year as they are three quarter grown are almost independent. This does depend on the litter though, as they are born at different times of year and grow at different rates depending on circumstances.

It was about a month ago I saw five cubs, one of which went over the field to scavenge in the hedge. About the size of a 3/4 grown rabbit.

I shot the vixen by spreading cat food around a field which had recently been mown for grass. The vixen then fed on the cat food but as it was spread out, she went from one piece to another too slowly.

[RedRowan 0]

Yesterday morning I found some unusual fur beside my chicken pens and after looking at it for a few minutes it dawned on me it was the light fluff of a fox cub.

The nearest litter is three fields away so this cub was doing some wandering.

The corn is starting to get tall so cubs mightn't be underground at all now so they're getting independent. They'll still be relying on their parents at the moment but by August cubs could be hunting for themselves.

Funny you should say that Neil. The farmer spotted a lone fox cub sniffing around at a carcass in one of his fields. That's what made me wonder if they would already be starting to look for their own food.

 

Thanks for the tip Jack. This is all new to me. It seems with foxes the more you know them and the more tricks you have up your sleeve the better!

[neil cooney 10,416]

There are plenty of ways to move foxes on such as pissing beside the earth or let a terrier on a lead sniff around the entrances but the vixen will only move them a field or two.

This year I seen a litter that could be seen from a road. They were doing no harm but I decided to move them so I let a terrier in the length of it's lead. The next morning they were gone. Two days later I seen them a field away from a lads house who I knew would probably shoot them for the sake of it. So again I let the terrier have a sniff. A few days later they were two fields away. I've been watching them since.

What I'm saying is that moving cubs on that are a problem wont get them to the next county. It will just make them harder to find.

[RedRowan 0]

Thanks again Neil, you've been a big help and probably saved me a lot of hours.