Automatic chicken door and predators

[wleigh1021]

I had a bear attack my coop twice the week of Christmas. First he broke into the coop itself and killed 4 birds. I tore down that coop and made a new bear-proof one. I reinforced my run with hardware cloth and washers and screws. We put an unwelcome mat out all around. He came around again and stepped on the unwelcome mat, didnt care, ripped the hardware cloth and got in through the run. He couldn't get into the coop but got a paw in and grabbed chickens and killed 5 more. I now have the coop and run electrified with hotwire. I think an automatic door will help just in case he can get past the hotwire on days I'm not home in time to shut the coop. I wanted a pullet shut door but since it mounts to the outside he can get his claws in a pull it off. Any thoughts on whether the guillotine style will be any safer against him pushing in just in case he gets past the hot wire?

 

[Welshies]

Problem bears should be removed... many go thru hotwire no issue.

 

[wleigh1021]

Problem bears should be removed... many go thru hotwire no issue.

We're trying....baited the wire with bacon but didn't come around. It's probably too cold right now. If we see him we'll shoot him, we have permission.

 

[Welshies]

We're trying....baited the wire with bacon but didn't come around. It's probably too cold right now. If we see him we'll shoot him, we have permission.

Yes, shoot him. It's harsh, but bears are so difficult to handle. They are so powerful. And smart.

 

[Ohmyheart]

A bear coming around is a big threat not only to your chickens but to your other pets and family. They will come around anytime of the day. Get someone out there to trap it if you won't or can't shoot it yourself.

BTW bears love donuts. They use them in live traps up in Canada where I use to live.

 

[wleigh1021]

A bear coming around is a big threat not only to your chickens but to your other pets and family. They will come around anytime of the day. Get someone out there to trap it if you won't or can't shoot it yourself.

BTW bears love donuts. They use them in live traps up in Canada where I use to live.

We tried to get a trap but the state won't call us back....donuts was next on the list!

 

[Ohmyheart]

We tried to get a trap but the state won't call us back....donuts was next on the list!

Probably because of the holiday. I'd call again tomorrow.

 

[Cindy in PA]

And NJ wants to stop bear hunting!

 

[wleigh1021]

And NJ wants to stop bear hunting!

Just heard back from fish and game and they won't come trap it because the hot wire should deter it....smh. I'm only on 3/4 of an acre, on a corner lot with one busy street, and dogs at every house around me including my own and this bear keeps coming around. Sounds like they just don't want to do their job to me....

 

[Ohmyheart]

Just heard back from fish and game and they won't come trap it because the hot wire should deter it....smh. I'm only on 3/4 of an acre, on a corner lot with one busy street, and dogs at every house around me including my own and this bear keeps coming around. Sounds like they just don't want to do their job to me....

What the heck! This is just nuts. It's not like you're on a farm with neighbours miles away. I've had bears in my yard and lived out in the country and they still came out.
They definitely don't want to do their job.