Countless lambs are lost every year due to predation by foxes, with outdoor lambing flocks being most at risk.
To reduce the likelihood of these attacks occurring, Forcefield Active Technology has brought an innovative product – Foxlights – to the Irish market.
Over the past three years 15,000 Foxlights have been sold in Australia and the product is growing in popularity among Irish farmers, as an effective way to protect young lambs and other vulnerable animals from foxes and other night predators.
How do Foxlights work?
The product, originally developed by Australian farmer Ian Whelan, gives the perception of someone walking around the area with a flashlight, thus keeping predators at bay.
A computer chip on a power board with nine LED bulbs creates a varying flash of blue, red and white lights with different time sequences.
Pat Clancy lambs 90 Cheviot ewes near Aughrim, Co. Wicklow and purchased six Foxlights in 2016.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Clancy operates an outdoor lambing system, with the ewes lambing down during the month of March.
The Wicklow-based farmer first used the product last spring and since beginning to use Foxlights there have been no fox attacks on his farm.
“Before I got the Foxlights I had a problem with foxes, but the Foxlights are working and they didn’t take any live or scavenge any dead lambs last spring.
“They can be seen from up to a mile away and I have six positioned in various locations around the fields where the ewes are kept.”
Clancy hangs the Foxlights from trees on his farm and he is very happy with results.
“I will be hanging the Foxlights out again this year, as I have been very happy with the results,” he said.
Foxlights are distributed in Ireland by Forcefield Active Technology and are available through your local co-op or agri merchant.
To find your local stockist call one of the Forcefield team:
For more information on Foxlights Click here
Video: Watch Foxlights in operation
Put to the test on a Wicklow sheep farm
Where can I buy Foxlights?