i dont live in a suburban home i live in the middle of nowhere, where foxes are very much a problem. im from a farming background too, and have witnessed fox attacks on chickens, lambs being killed by them etc.. its how i have been brought up and as ive seen first hand what they are capable of, i dont feel guilty hunting them. just like i dont feel guilty about getting rid of rats, or other pests.

There are cheaper and more effective ways to raise and kill food for the table, we're willing to accept double standards depending on the animal. What's your definition of humane? For me, some of the welfare standards associated with the raising of lifestock are far short of what they need to be, and hundreds of thousands of animals suffer because we want to eat them. Yet our focus is where?

They kill my chickens.I already have 7ft fences and still they get in.Poultry keeping is a popular pastime and why should i put up with having all my hens wiped out when it dont even eat one? Man isnt the only thing which kills for the sake if it-foxes do too.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I know a lot of people who keep chickens & other small furries (rabbits, gunieas, etc.) and fortunately none have a problem with foxes. Presumably their enclosures are secure enough to keep predators at bay.

Cruelty is cruelty however and wherever it happens and just because there are poor animal welfare standards in farming at points, doesn't mean fox hunting is any less cruel.

That's a bit harsh, are you saying some folk leave out a welcoming sign to say foxy come hither, kill all my beloved pets/animals?

I've known people with electrified enclosures still lose their stock/pets to foxes.

I won't keep chickens and the guinea pig is in at night and for winter as we do have an active fox, he has killed pet rabbits and a kitten.... I won't be responsible for an animal being killed by a fox because I decided to keep it despite knowing we have this very active one. I live in suburbia with a lot of green spaces/woodland.

Still don't think a pack of hounds should
Come charging down the street with lots of people on their horses on a jolly behind them...

The coop itself is totally secure,but the run cannot and thats where the problem is.

Foxes have no place in suburbia,but unfortunately misguided people do insist on feeding them and this inturn is gradually teaching them not to be afraid of man.Its also turning a hunter into a scavenger.

I never said that I have no respect for those who shoot But perhaps you could direct me to a gamekeeper who would happily live alongside foxes, stoats etc. I would love to meet him

Yes my husband breeds sheep (most of our lambs are slaughtered between 10 and 11 months btw, although 50% are kept for breeding). If there were regular fox predation on the flocks then I suppose that particular troublesome fox (or pair) would have to be dealt with by rifle. Not that it would sit happily with me

Lol. Wonder how many people said that about wolves.....