Bear!! SOS

[boomboomvw]

We were just woken up go a big black bear breaking the door to the coop. we scared it away with a paintball gun and yelling. Any thoughts on whether the paintball gun did the trick? or should I look into a security system or whether it may try to come back?
it definitely was on top of the fence areas because the one wall is bent. The front is Wood and chicken wire and it broke the door in half while trying to rip it open

 

[wamtazlady]

You should look into electric fencing of some sort. It's about the only thing that can keep a bear out of your coop. I watched some videos on youtube that showed bears being zapped and running away from electric fences.

 

[aart]

Agrees... hot wire about the only thing to deter a bear.

 

[chickens really]

You could cut plywood and pound nails into it...Lots of nails with them sticking up so the bear steps on the nails and hurts his toes...Place it in front of your coop door each night...The paint ball might have scared him off if he was a young bear...Would fish and wildlife come and dart the bear to relocate it??

Good luck

 

[Flock In Texas]

I like how you think. Make him work in pain for his supper.

 

[Rach4]

Wow you poor bugger! I am currently having a debate with Australians here on the forum as I am using a sling shot to scar the magpies away! and you have BEARS! I feel for you. Hope it pans out well for you

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You can not leave food out at night if your in bear country. That means you can't leave it in the coop either. The feed attracts the bear and the when they are already there they tear the coop apart and eat the birds.

Bring feed inside shed or garage every night and the bear will stop coming. Use chunx poison in tamper proof bait boxes to deter rodents and close your coop door each night.

 

[Intheswamp]

You could cut plywood and pound nails into it...Lots of nails with them sticking up so the bear steps on the nails and hurts his toes...Place it in front of your coop door each night...The paint ball might have scared him off if he was a young bear...Would fish and wildlife come and dart the bear to relocate it??

Good luck

...and whats to keep your dog, or goat, or even a chicken or duck from stepping on the same nails....even yourself or your wheelbarrow/lawnmower/handtruck/etc (we forget about things sometimes)?

I would think that a strong electric fence/charger would be a great security enhancement and would help with other predators, too. I think if the bear knows there is a chicken dinner awaiting it inside the coop it will return...the paint balls were probably just a nuisance to it.

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You need 6 to 8 thousand volts to stop a bear. If you do go the electric route use a 1 joule charger. The thing is once the bear is trained to electric you only need the clicking sound of electric fencing to keep it away. They are attracted by the feed and stay for the chicken dinner.

 

[chickens really]

...and whats to keep your dog, or goat, or even a chicken or duck from stepping on the same nails....even yourself or your wheelbarrow/lawnmower/handtruck/etc (we forget about things sometimes)?

I would think that a strong electric fence/charger would be a great security enhancement and would help with other predators, too. I think if the bear knows there is a chicken dinner awaiting it inside the coop it will return...the paint balls were probably just a nuisance to it.

Best wishes,
Ed

You misunderstood my reply....The wood with nails is only out to deter the Bear from getting inside the coop through the door and window...If bears are an issue, would not all livestock be locked up at night?.During the day the deterrent is removed...Not sure why anything other than the bear would step on it??

Then again, what do I know???