Bear attack

[chicken_lovers]

Last weekend a bear broke the door to my chicken coop and killed all of my chickens except 2. I fortified the coop and the bear wasn't able to get back in when he tried again the next night. But early this morning he tried to break in again and when I went out to check my chickens one of them was limping. I think she hurt herself because she was scared. She is limping on her left leg, I felt the leg and I don't feel any breaks. So I think she pulled a muscle or something. There are no vets in my area that see chickens. Does anyone have any advise as to what I should do to help her?

 

[Killer Tomato]

Maybe gently wrap that leg with some of that stretchy vet wrap tape, or just watch and wait, and make sure she doesn't have to walk too much to get her basic necessities?

I think I'd have my two surviving hens sleeping in a cat carrier, inside, in the bathroom, or something, just to remove the Bear Buffet. All garbage sources would be locked away, as would compost bins, etc....

I'd also be *safely* standing guard in a lawn chair with some sort of "deterrents" (whatever you are comfortable having, and whatever is legal for your neighborhood). A quick getaway strategy into the house/garage is a must! Make your yard and coop as distasteful and unfriendly as possible now. Let the bear know it was a One-Time-Only thing, not the Sunday Senior Special at the Casino!

I'm so sorry for the loss of your flock. Good luck!

 

[diamondsilkies]

So sorry about the loss of your flock. I would agree that you should bring the two inside the house. A dog crate would work well as temporary housing. And yes, you should make anything else the bear might like to eat unaccesible. Eventually, the bear will probably move on if he realizes there's nothing left for him in your yard and you can put your chickens back out in the coop if you don't see him anymore.

 

[snow5164]

Sorry about your loss ,

I had a limping hen , overtime she just got better. I thought it looked like when we sprained an ankle so I just left her.

There are bear deterrents that you put around your yard or coop .

 

[sourland]

, sorry for the circumstances. Most likely a bruise or strain if it does not appear to be broken, and time will heal. The bear is the real problem as it will return. A hot wire draped with bacon can educate even the most determined bear.

 

[New2Chicks97]

Sorry about the loss of your girls. We had a rooster that had a limp and it resolved itself after a week. So maybe give her a little time and see if improves.

As to the bear......maybe an electric fence would help to deter him. Give him a good shock a couple of times and I bet he starts looking elsewhere for food.

 

[lazy gardener]

Maybe gently wrap that leg with some of that stretchy vet wrap tape, or just watch and wait, and make sure she doesn't have to walk too much to get her basic necessities?

I think I'd have my two surviving hens sleeping in a cat carrier, inside, in the bathroom, or something, just to remove the Bear Buffet. All garbage sources would be locked away, as would compost bins, etc....

I'd also be *safely* standing guard in a lawn chair with some sort of "deterrents" (whatever you are comfortable having, and whatever is legal for your neighborhood). A quick getaway strategy into the house/garage is a must! Make your yard and coop as distasteful and unfriendly as possible now. Let the bear know it was a One-Time-Only thing, not the Sunday Senior Special at the Casino!

I'm so sorry for the loss of your flock. Good luck!

There is no way I would be sitting outside in a lawn chair to "deter" the bear. Such action is an invitation to human injury. If you have a gun that is strong enough to take down the bear, are in a place where you can safely shoot, with no neighbors within safe firing range, are well versed in gun safety, have taken a hunter safety course... then go ahead and shoot the bear. Otherwise, it's folly to take on a killer bear.

The best course of action:

1. Contact your ACO and state wild life management and report the incidents. This is a bear who has no human fear, and he is a menace. He needs to be safely removed.

1. Set up electric fencing with a powerful charger around your coop and run. Bait the fencing with peanut butter or bacon grease.

1. Keep kids, pets and other critters in at night, carry a fire arm when you are outside.

1. Remove all bird feeders, trash cans and other attractants.

 

[lazy gardener]

Do not leave chicken feed out at night.

 

[redranger209]

There is no way I would be sitting outside in a lawn chair to "deter" the bear. Such action is an invitation to human injury. If you have a gun that is strong enough to take down the bear, are in a place where you can safely shoot, with no neighbors within safe firing range, are well versed in gun safety, have taken a hunter safety course... then go ahead and shoot the bear. Otherwise, it's folly to take on a killer bear.

The best course of action:

1. Contact your ACO and state wild life management and report the incidents. This is a bear who has no human fear, and he is a menace. He needs to be safely removed.

1. Set up electric fencing with a powerful charger around your coop and run. Bait the fencing with peanut butter or bacon grease.

1. Keep kids, pets and other critters in at night, carry a fire arm when you are outside.

1. Remove all bird feeders, trash cans and other attractants.

Remember, this is most likely a black bear. A pan and spoon will work as a deterrent to scare it off.

 

[sourland]

Remember, this is most likely a black bear. A pan and spoon will work as a deterrent to scare it off.

Not necessarily. Habituated black bears can be very dangerous.