Foxwatch Device

We live in in a mixed suburban area really but our back garden is facing a field and a small farm. Although we have a six foot fence around the garden and the chickens Posh and Pecks live in a secure chicken pen we feel that the health and well being of our very small flock is paramount so want to take as many reasonable precautions as we can.

Some may say you can defend against everything but protect against nothing, which in some way is true. If we let them freerange and don't supervise you can bet that a fox will take advantage of that. Sadly, many chicken owners experience that first hand.

All that being said, we have purchased a Foxwatch from http://www.conceptresearch.co.uk as a deterrant. This is no way is what we consider a guarantee that foxes will not visit the garden, they will, but it will be uncomfortable for them and hopefully that plus the security of the chicken run will just make us a little lower down on the top ten places to check out for food. And if the neighbour next door stops leaving food out for the birds maybe they won't be tempted to the general area!

The Foxwatch works by detecting the Infrared signature of the fox using a PIR (Passive Infrared) sensor then squeals a noise at them that is allegedly uncomfortable to the foxes but inaudible to the human ear.

On the Omlet forums @ www.omlet.co.uk there is much talk from owners saying they've not been bothered by foxes while having this gadget, although one or two are saying that the foxes still visit.. Concept Research offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee though!

"IF NOT 100% DELIGHTED WITH FOXWATCH -SIMPLY RETURN IT FOR A REFUND OR EXCHANGE UNDER OUR 90 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE!" Quoted from http://www.conceptresearch.co.uk/fox.htm

The device protects an area of 1,350 sq. ft. and costs £54.95. It takes one PP9 9v battery but can also take a mains adaptor and has an optional 10 metre extension lead. The adaptor and lead are £15.95 and £4.95 respectively. I personally think that the price of those accessories is a bit steep. The unit is £55 and the mains power and lead is another £21? Almost half the price of the unit...

We settled on just using batteries which will last up to 3 months...it's easy to see if it's still working by just walking in front of it. There's also an audible tone to check the power when you switch on.

But does it work?

Well, there are foxes in our area. We know because we've seen them in the fields, seen them on the roads and have heard them screeching at night. We haven't yet seen one in the garden before (or since) keeping chickens. The true litmus test will be when one does enter the garden then leaves to return less frequent then never, as that's supposedly the way this works.

We'll keep our eyes peeled and keep you posted.