The coyotes are back

On the 6" fence, yes chickens can easily hop over it. A good thing if they do manage to get out and want back in. In a panic, they will punch through it or hop over it.

There is a learning curve for them. Almost all of mine got their lesson by stepping on it. It was only a matter of time until they had one foot on the fence and one on the ground. Those were the one's I saw launch and they were still shook up and cackling 20 or 30 seconds later. After a couple shots of that, they don't go near it. They have no clue what an electric fence it but they know they don't want to get zapped like that again, so don't go near it.

Ironically, the bigger the fenced in area the less you can get away with in regards to a poultry fence. Keep a large enough area inside the fence and they will be content to stay put. Some will say it only takes one single wire to keep them in and varmints out. My fenced in area is only 75' x 75', so I am using 4 wires, but can still step over the fence anywhere (meaning no gates are needed).

The same exists with varmints on the outside. Most all of them tend to approach a pen with their nose close to the ground and once that wet nose touches a really hot fence, they head off to where they came from and pronto. If you have a big wide area, most varmints are still in stealthy sneak mode when they encounter the fence. They also have no clue what an electric fence is, but may even learn to associate chickens with the pain they encounter when approaching them. You can even short circuit the learning by placing something on the fence a predator might sniff or lick with his tongue. I could sell tickets to that.

As you begin to confine the birds down, their desire for what is on the other side may get the better of them and they will test it. If so, that may be a place for poultry netting. That seems to be the deterrent that stops all traffic (except for birds of prey who drop in from above).
 
With exception of poultry netting, fences for me at best leaky when chickens motivated to forage around them. Larger perimeters with ample forage and cover within helps. Fencing serves more to repell predators and make job for dogs easier.
 
Well folks it is late April in Harney County, Oregon. The coyotes have whelped their litters, and everyone is hungry. Make sure the fences are tight, hot fences working, change burned out light bulbs, and your favorite rifle is loaded. They know where your chickens are. Do you?
 
In most cases relocated predators return, hungrier, smarter and more trap suave than when you first captured them.

For-instance, Relocated rock pythons (a reptile) have returned to their former Florida home range from a distance of over 100 miles.

Coyotes however are 4 legs up of snakes in their ability to move or travel.
 
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