A couple of predators...Advice please

[Matzwd]

We have had something(s) stalking/taking our chickens lately. Our roo was attacked in the middle of the day by what we were pretty sure was a neighbor's dog because around the same time or rooster turned up missing, our dogs ran the neighbors' dogs out of our yard. We found the rooster. He was in shock on his back where dropped, but it has been around three weeks and he is recovering nicely. Neighbors have been great about keeping their dogs away since then.

We were being vigilant (we thought) about not letting our girls/boy out of the run unless they were directly supervised. Hubby left for a bathroom break and was barely inside the house when he heard a raucous. He ran back out to find our hen Penny missing, with only a very small pile of feathers left behind. That was two weeks ago. No more bathroom breaks without putting them back inside the run first. They only get about an hour a day of grass time now.

For two days after Penny was taken, there were many alarms from the remaining chickens, who were protected within their run. I was waiting for a new trail camera to arrive and never could see what they saw.

The camera arrived almost a week ago, and here's what we've got, a coyote, which we've had photos of twice now (both times at night), and a fox which was first captured on camera at 6:15 this morning. I need to know the best way to remedy both situations. We also have three smallish dogs who are very territorial, and I'm afraid they might engage in a losing fight with the coyote if they see it.

 

[Trux]

Call your state DNR to see what recourse you have when they are attacking your flock. Seeing the fox in the daylight would lead me to assume that it is your daytime culprit. Is that your run on the right? If so you need to get a good cover on it, that fox or a coyote could easily jump it.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

You could try using Critter Ridder around your coop and run. It should help to deter them. However, you need to make sure that your run is securely predator proof. Also, I agree that you should contact your local DNR and see what they can do. Good luck.

 

[centrarchid]

Could you show a satellite view of area chickens are kept in? Based on very limited imagery you might be able to employ electrified poultry netting.

 

[Matzwd]

Call your state DNR to see what recourse you have when they are attacking your flock. Seeing the fox in the daylight would lead me to assume that it is your daytime culprit. Is that your run on the right? If so you need to get a good cover on it, that fox or a coyote could easily jump it.

Yes, I will check with DNR. That chain link fence to the right is our "outer run." There is a more secured "inner run" inside the chain link. I am thinking of running a hot wire around the outer run though. Typically, when they are safe to free range, they get to go outside the chain link, but now they are confined to their inner run, and their supervised grass time is inside the outer run. They are not allowed to go outside that at this time, even supervised. The chain link is 5 feet, but my girls can fly over it. The rooster is a silkie, so he gets stuck inside when the girls jump the fence. For this reason, when they are allowed to free range, the gate stays open while they are out. Ale gates are closed and inner run and coop are locked tight at dusk.

 

[Matzwd]

Could you show a satellite view of area chickens are kept in? Based on very limited imagery you might be able to employ electrified poultry netting.

This photo should give you a better idea of the setup. The black enclosure has a roof and locking doors. Mice and snakes could still fit through the grid. The coop itself is completely predator proof, with the exception of the pop door during daylight hours.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Wow. Fort Knox!

I see it would be hard to roof the outer run since the inner is so much taller. That’s a tough problem. A hot wire might deter them, if they don’t realize they can jump over. Hmm.

 

[Matzwd]

You could try using Critter Ridder around your coop and run. It should help to deter them. However, you need to make sure that your run is securely predator proof. Also, I agree that you should contact your local DNR and see what they can do. Good luck.[/QUOTE

Thank you. I will look into Critter Ridder.

 

[Matzwd]

Wow. Fort Knox!

I see it would be hard to roof the outer run since the inner is so much taller. That’s a tough problem. A hot wire might deter them, if they don’t realize they can jump over. Hmm.

Yes, the height of the enclosure is an issue. They are truly safe inside it, but there's no grass to forage in. Im trying to employ deep litter in there, but if keeps raining. It dries out eventually, but it definitely isn't helping. We plan to roof that black run this year for that reason. Then, they will have something to dig through for bugs at least when they address closed in, and we won't have snow and ice in the in winter.

Both of the incidents happened outside the chain link but extremely close to it. So far, nothing has jumped from the outside into the chain link (except squirrels). I was thinking of getting chain link insulators and wiring that up to keep my hens in and critters out.

 

[centrarchid]

Losses during free-range time negate fort knox approach limited to pen area. I have same challenge. I make for additional perimeters not unlike your chain link fence. Problem is those perimeters tend to be leaky allowing chickens or wildlife through. Your management approach might be adjusted. I free-range only part of day with laying hens and do yard work at that time. I also make use of dogs. With you present, even small dogs (multiple) could serve as repellent for Coyote and Red Fox.