Am I Asking for Trouble?

[DaveBoy]

Thanks for the palm frond suggestion. We will build the coop near the palm tree but not directly under any falling fronds.

 

[rancher hicks]

A few thoughts on your situation.

One, are you legal? Cuz you are going to want more than a few chickens after some time. Friends and family will want eggs and hopefully buy them.

Two, I had some coons living in a dead tree near our back yard years ago when we lived in the city. I could see them sleeping during the day. I sprayed them with the hose and they moved on.

Three, I mention it again to my embarrassment but I go out at night when I lock things up and "mark" around the area. I have not smelled a skunk in some time, nor seen a coon or fox, though I am told they are around. I've been doing this for three years and so far so good. I've even gone so far as to tie rags to some trees and give them a good soak. I figure the smell will last longer.

When I first got chickens I had a ground hog under the coop and after a few markings around his entrance, he took off and I've not seen him since.

If you can't do it outside personally, fill a spray bottle and "mark" that way. Oh and this is a man only thing.

 

[kari_dawn]

...why not just buy predator urine if you are going to do that?

I think it would be more effective, and your neighbors won't think youre crazy if they catch you lol

 

[rancher hicks]

Quote:
Cuz they only sell "Fox" urine as far as I know and they'd be just as bad if not worse than coons. Too, I can't say in the OP's area but coyote populations are increasing and might move into the area. They say we have them here. Most pred urine is for rabbits and them I don't mind living under the coop. Of course I did see the chickens playing tag with one, one summer evening.

Perhaps I've stumbled on to a new entrepreneur opportunity.

 

[Yonaton]

And, it could only be squirrels up in that tree. They're noisy critters as in noisy by barking when they're PO'd and noisy by all the running around in dry leaves in trees and branches and such. Easy way to find out is put a 16 penny nail in the tree about head-height, cut off the head of the nail and stick a dried corn cob on it and sit back and watch for a few days. If you're not in cold-weather country where the squirrels have pretty much gone into hibernating by now, they come out once in a while to eat and stretch their legs.

 

[patman75]

Hard ware cloth at least on the bottom 3 feet to keep animals from grabing inside or chicken from poking thier head out. The rest can be welded wire to make it a little more cost effective.

A welded wire apron around the coop will be easier to keep animals from digging in.

Then go with electric fencing at 6 inches, 2 feet and 5 feet off the ground to keep anything from messing with the coop.