Since then, like your poultry farmer, I’ve been leaving food for them every few days either near to their den in the woods, or somewhere on their usual travel routes. Not too often, and always in a different spot so that they do not become reliant on it, but enough that they don’t become desperate enough to try a post dawn raid on a difficult to get to garden again.

I don’t think it would work if there were no other deterrents in the way (like a lot of fences, a great distance before getting to safety), but I definitely think it’s a good part of the arsenal.

We’re moving house soon to somewhere a lot less secure, so I’ll be putting some of these tips to the test as well.