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Fox Cubs

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  • 04-05-2012 4:14am
    #1
    four18
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 460 ✭✭


    I am now rearing 4 fox cubs after the mother was hit by a jeep. I have not seen the male for a month. Anyway Its going ok, they are about 3/4 weeks old and they have become very tame. I will post up a few pics tomorrow


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    #2
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 3,518 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    four18 wrote: »
    I am now rearing 4 fox cubs after the mother was hit by a jeep. I have not seen the male for a month. Anyway Its going ok, they are about 3/4 weeks old and they have become very tame. I will post up a few pics tomorrow

    Think you should hand them over to a specialised shelter they'll know how to raise them so they're able to be re-released whereas you will have 4 semi-wild full grown foxes that won't survive on their own unless you feed them, also you have to take into account the area you live in, is it close to sheep farmers?

    They won't like the idea of you raising 4 cubs to someday eat their lambs. And will have someone shoot them on sight, which won't be difficult if they're tame like you say.


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    #3
    four18
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 460 ✭✭four18


    No sheep here in Clontarf Dublin ! You have a point about them getting tame. I will get someone to take them this weekend, but I am thinking about keeping the smallest one (Runt ?) as a pet as it is only half the size of the other 3. I will ring the DSPCA now and see what they think.
    Regards


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    #4
    Half-cocked
    Registered Users Posts: 4,319 ✭✭✭Half-cocked


    four18 wrote: »
    No sheep here in Clontarf Dublin ! You have a point about them getting tame. I will get someone to take them this weekend, but I am thinking about keeping the smallest one (Runt ?) as a pet as it is only half the size of the other 3. I will ring the DSPCA now and see what they think.
    Regards

    Keeping foxes as pets doesn't always work. Some will domesticate fine, others will have all sorts of problems. The 'runt' will probably be fine if raised and released by experts. We used to have a tiny vixen visit our garden, probably also the runt of a litter, and she raised several cubs of her own.

    Just out of interest, all the foxes around Baldoyle seem to have disappeared. Are there many around Clontarf?

    PS If the runt is a dog fox and you keep him, you'll have to get used to a real stink when he grows up!!!


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    #5
    johngalway
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,271 ✭✭✭✭johngalway


    Half-cocked wrote: »
    you'll have to get used to a real stink when he grows up!!!

    Especially this time of year, you can use your nose to find him lol.


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    #6
    four18
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 460 ✭✭four18


    The Runt is a bitch, The DSPCA said they will collect them tomorrow and I have decided to keep the small one. The general fox population really started to decline when the wheely bin came in. There is a good number in St Annes Park and the Bull Island but I dont see as many ''urban'' foxes on the side streets as I used to. My garden backs on to Clontarf Golf Club and the cubs were born in a disused compost bin at the end of the garden.
    I need to get a usb lead to transfer photos from my phone to desktop and then I will post up a few pics.
    PS There is at least 10 Badger sets in St Annes Park, They seem to be doing very well.


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    #7
    Half-cocked
    Registered Users Posts: 4,319 ✭✭✭Half-cocked


    Let us know how you get on with the 'runt'. Hopefully she will settle into a domesticated lifestyle.


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    #8
    Traonach
    Closed Accounts Posts: 419 ✭✭Traonach


    four18 wrote: »
    No sheep here in Clontarf Dublin ! You have a point about them getting tame. I will get someone to take them this weekend, but I am thinking about keeping the smallest one (Runt ?) as a pet as it is only half the size of the other 3. I will ring the DSPCA now and see what they think.
    Regards
    If your keeping the runt as a pet get it spayed. Pet Foxes often get wild once they reach sexual maturity. The hormones start to kick in. Neutering it will make it a more docile pet.


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    #9
    four18
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 460 ✭✭four18


    Traonach wrote: »
    If your keeping the runt as a pet get it spayed. Pet Foxes often get wild once they reach sexual maturity. The hormones start to kick in. Neutering it will make it a more docile pet.

    Ok Will do, Thanks


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    #10
    hardCopy
    Registered Users Posts: 5,969 ✭✭✭hardCopy


    We had a vixen with a litter under our shed in Clontarf a few years ago.

    Neighbours cats started hassling them and they moved off eventually. Cool thing to see them growing up as our garden is quite short so they were very close to our kitchen door.


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    #11
    dominiquecruz
    Closed Accounts Posts: 236 ✭✭dominiquecruz


    Can we see photos please?


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    #12
    DERPY HOOFS
    Site Banned Posts: 116 ✭✭DERPY HOOFS


    I would love a pet fox


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    #13
    four18
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 460 ✭✭four18


    dominiquecruz wrote: »
    Can we see photos please?

    I need to get a lead to get the photos off my phone. I will buy one tomorrow and post up a few pics
    Regards


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    #14
    swifts need our help!
    Registered Users Posts: 944 ✭✭✭swifts need our help!


    You can upload them here directly from your phone - if you have a smart phone

    Mark


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    #15
    four18
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 460 ✭✭four18


    3 cubs gone to dspca, ! runt still with me and doing grand. Even the cat is not bothered by her anymore and they eat side by side with only the odd hizzyfit ! The cat is the boss which is good
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/64549104@N07/7164604550/

    7164604550


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    #16
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 3,518 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Lovely cub, fair play to you. Great deed done.
    Hopefully something good comes your way in return.


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    #17
    four18
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 460 ✭✭four18


    Thanks, I had some Shepards Pie left over and she ate it, carrots, onions, the lot ! She is getting her first bath later,with shampoo as she stinks a lot, Its just her coat that is so manky. I will post a ''fluffy' picture then !:)


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