Aaaahhhh!!! I Hate Chicken Killers!!!

[bobbi-j]

If you're that stressed about it, your only option is to build a covered run attached to your coop. They can be in the run while you're gone and outside when you can watch them. Your fence isn't going to slow down a hawk who obviously can fly right in, or a coon or possum that will climb right up it. It looks like your fence is high enough to keep a dog or coyote from jumping it. LOVE the picture of the guineas!

 

[mikeinri]

The faces in the window look great. I would love to let them roam in my fenced area near the house but the yard would be a giant hawk feeder in a day. Plus my three dogs might not like the idea of their area being taken over. They do like the steamy treats.
How about scarecrows? Do they keep hawks away?

 

[Scooter&Suzie]

Quote:
I don't hate them, I just want to strangle them... *sigh* I would agree to buy them chicken from the store, but I don't think they would keep their side of the bargain. I found that I need to get a couple different latches for each door, so if they get one open, there is till a new one to figure out. Also a covered run. My chickens go out at 7:00a.m. and go night night at 5:00p.m. At least for now, while we have short days. When the days get longer the time will change.

 

[Phantom_Rooster]

Scooter&Suzie :

Quote:
I don't hate them, I just want to strangle them... *sigh* I would agree to buy them chicken from the store, but I don't think they would keep their side of the bargain. I found that I need to get a couple different latches for each door, so if they get one open, there is till a new one to figure out. Also a covered run. My chickens go out at 7:00a.m. and go night night at 5:00p.m. At least for now, while we have short days. When the days get longer the time will change.

I'll have to agree with the old guy too. I don't hate them either, but, I will get rid of them, one way or the other. Prevention is my first option. There are lots of options with prevention. I have a covered run to prevent birds of prey. I lock up my flock in the coop at night. I have an electric fence wire around top and bottom of my fence. And, I trap and release varmints. Right now I am working on my 3rd skunk of a family of 5 that just moved in a couple of weeks ago. You can catch and release skunks. I just throw an old baby blanket over the trap and move oh so carefully. To release, I open the trap and run like hell.

I also agree with judyc. It sounds like a possum for chickenjane82. Trapping would slow down that problem. But, I think an electric fence would prevent them and most varmints from getting to the goods. It works for me. Mine is rated for 15 miles. It's way overkill, but, it pulses so it shouldn't kill anything. It costs around $50 at Home Depot. Then, a little more for wire and insulators. I have 6 chickens in a 30'x30' pen. I also have 5 acres of land that I could let them free range, but, I can't cover that. So, the chickens are protected (so I hope) and still happy. chickenjane82, I'm sorry for your loss. I hope you find a way to get rid of your problem.​

 

[Phantom_Rooster]

chickenjane82, I don't mean to step on your post, but, I had to add this. I just walked out after posting my reply and this is what I found. I hope to have a successful release. Now, for the other 2 stinkers. They seem to love cat food. Yeah, I have 5 cats also. The electric fence keeps them out too.

Can you say "Meeeeeeeeooooooowwwwwww!"?

 

[chickenjane82]

ITS A FEREL CAT!!!!
3 babies now. Im so upset. STUPID cat.

 

[chickenjane82]

Im going to run a hot tape around the entire top of my fenceline.

Im not a fan of cats to begin with...this doesnt help.

The day I caught the culprit, I figured he was starving and fed him a few times out a way from the house, keep his belly full. He was in the yard last night (nothing to eat because I had everyone locked in the big coop)
and I put food outside the fence, AWAY from the yard and scared him out of the fence to go eat.
Then he killed another baby that got out early this morning. (didnt realize they could fly up and out of the vent space of the big coop, Ill have to fix that today)

I have some "safe" spots for the hens, so they have somewhere to scratch and peck safe from hawks (picture a clear garden hoop house 8feet across and 20ft long, plus 2 smaller 4 ft ones with perches.)

Ive never seen a skunk in real life!

 

[flowergirl60]

I know exactly what you mean chickenjane. I'm constantly looking out my windows. BTW love the pic. Looks like my girls at my back door. My girls have a covered run but I just love to watch them roam free in my fenced in back yard.