All valuable ideas - what works for one doesn't work for any other. We had way more red tailed hawks in MO than I've seen here and they never tried to take any of our birds but the hens could hide in the woods really easy. I figured the bald eagles around here might be more of a problem - wasn't too worried about all of the pelicans though. I realize that you will loose some but all you can do is put forth your best effort and learn from mistakes.
Funny thing about snakes - those rat snakes will kill copperheads (at least that was the old timers wisdom in the Ozarks) and will help keep some of your other pests at bay but yeah you can't keep them out of your coop either.
You say 12 gauge - I suggest .17 hmr or .22 LR as I don't actually have to leave the house to fend of the vicious beast threatening the ladies, and skunks can only spray you if you get close enough. The only thing that we caught in our trap in MO was the neighbors cat that the ladies got along with - the cat was older and mellow but apparently loved canned sardines.
I appreciate reading everyone's ideas in all of the forums. I will be the first to admit ignorance about many things - ignorance being the void of knowledge without experience (pretty sure that's not how Webster's put it) and other's experience are invaluable in solving what one does not know.
Funny thing about snakes - those rat snakes will kill copperheads (at least that was the old timers wisdom in the Ozarks) and will help keep some of your other pests at bay but yeah you can't keep them out of your coop either.
You say 12 gauge - I suggest .17 hmr or .22 LR as I don't actually have to leave the house to fend of the vicious beast threatening the ladies, and skunks can only spray you if you get close enough. The only thing that we caught in our trap in MO was the neighbors cat that the ladies got along with - the cat was older and mellow but apparently loved canned sardines.
I appreciate reading everyone's ideas in all of the forums. I will be the first to admit ignorance about many things - ignorance being the void of knowledge without experience (pretty sure that's not how Webster's put it) and other's experience are invaluable in solving what one does not know.
(was really looking forward to a nice sized omelete tomorrow morning.) So I have the 4 RIR's but does anyone know where I could fine 2 other hens to go with them in the north Alabama area. Not sure which breed I'm looking to add either. I'm open to some suggestions. I'm looking for some pretty good layers that are also good with kids (me too for that matter or else they'll be dinner lol). I've heard Barred Rocks maybe. Any tips on good feed stores would be great too. I heard that 
-byc My favorite breeds are RSL,Orpington, welsummer, and ee's. A lot of people choose breed by egg color so they can have a nice colorful basket. Most hand raised hens are sweet.
