It turns out that Palestine and Israel have similar issues to the ongoing “battle” between a local red fox vixen and the human who owns Delphinium Blue Farm, and for many of the same reasons. The fox would argue that her kind has been part of this forest “forever” and she is grandfathered. The human would argue the land is promised to her and the fox should make other plans, at least where the farm’s chickens are concerned. As with the Palestinians and the Israelis, detente seems out of reach.
The fox is cautious, but unafraid. She is spotted repeatedly sitting and staring at the flock from a vantage point. She can easily fade back into the forest if discovered. Defenses are inadequate. The electric fence is easy enough to go over or under; sometimes it is left unplugged. She can slip into the henhouse at night while the human snores. She can watch to see when the car leaves the driveway and visit the pasture in broad daylight. The dog who is supposed to be Security is usually saddled with a loud bell that hangs from its neck when it is outside. Even in stealth mode, old age limits the dog’s ability to shift into “hyperspace.”
There is an imperative. The vixen has a den with rapidly growing kits — they are old enough to eat a lot, but not old enough to do much toward earning the meal themselves. One chicken will go a lot further than endless mice and voles; they are also easier to catch and are apparently a renewable resource. She can teach her kits the tricks of the trade on these stupid, nearly flightless birds.
In spite of the losses, the human has mixed feelings. Without some sort of population control, the darned voles girdle recently planted saplings when they are barely more than twigs. The fox’s appetite for small rodents prevents decimation of the apple orchard. She could live there in peace indefinitely if she would just stick to the Back 90.
Moreover, the fox is beautiful, like a river of molten gold as she glides along on tiny feet. A shotgun blast would feel obscene. The human builds a chicken Auschwitz. There is a coop with a heavy wooden door and fences six feet high. Buried wire on both sides prevents digging under. The whole area is surrounded by electrically charged netting; the fencer smacks and flashes 45-60 times each second.
The day after erecting the fence, the human finds a small pile of droppings perfectly centered on the mound of earth outside the wire. It is hard not to take it personally. It is too easy to be outfoxed by a fox.
Eggs, stew hens, chicken pot pies, and chicken-based dog treats are available at the Presque Isle Farmers’ Market at the Aroostook Centre Mall parking lot on Saturday mornings along with other meat, dairy, and veggie treats. Please stop by!
The Presque Isle Farmers’ Market contact person Gail Maynard, who operates Orchard Hill Farm in Woodland with her husband, Stan. Their phone number is 498-8541 and their email is orchhill@gmail.com.
