Bears got my flock

[Chicken Delight]

So sorry. I lost my whole flock to a large dog that tore up my coop. Very, very difficult. Not sure how to guard against everything, but I am rebuilding my run with 6 ft chain-link (smaller wire around the bottom) as well as cement 1 foot deep into ground. I am glad I don't have to worry about bears too.

Again, very sorry.

 

[Cetawin]

I am so sorry for your loss. Bears about the only thing dang near impossible to stop...they are so blasted strong, they tear doors off, windows out and you name. Make the electric fence strong enough to kill a moose....bears are tough. There are some on here who have had the problem and found ways to stop it...hopefully they will jump in.

 

[jennh]

Quote:
I have a baby monitor outside to hear the birds when it's too cold to have the windows open. One afternoon I heard the girls carrying on, and went out to look. I thought maybe there was a hawk. Not. The neighbor's *&^% dog had my Sweet Annie Americauna BY HER NECK , dragging her across MY BACKYARD!!! If I wouldn't have had that monitor, that *&#$ dog would have killed my hen!!

 

[Turkeyrangler]

So sorry to hear about the loss of your flock. Living in Northern Minnesota means we deal with bears on a very regular basis. Here we can put a bear down that is found harming our flock. I know the in your state that you have struggled to even get a hunting season to bring a balance to you bear population. If you do have a law that provides for protection of your animals I suggest at least a 12 gauge shotgun with slugs and/or buckshot to eliminate this problem for you. Contact you state DNR to find out how you can protect your animals from further predation. I really don't like killing an animal in this situation unless I have to, but in your case I see no other option if he/she comes back.

 

[JerseyHen]

I live in Sussex county NJ. Bear Central. The first day of last year's hunt they took 140 bears, all told about 550. Most from right in my backyard. I am feeling your fear and sorry for your loss. We have already had a male, 42 inches at the shoulder, poking around. The neighbors put unsecured garbage out and the bears are around every night (even in daylight lately). They are very hungry right now and dangerous since they have new cubs. We are still going to try raising some chickens. We are also using a periphery electric fencing with another round of electric fenced run. Not sure if it will work or not, they are so strong. They ripped open a car trunk last year. I think fish and game will kill a bear if it is classified as a "Category I" bruin, meaning it poses an immediate threat to humans or had caused $500 or more in property damage. This page has excellent information on the fencing and such:
http://icwdm.org/handbook/carnivor/black_bears.asp

It will be back. Once they find a food source they will return until they are certain it has dried up. They will move on to other livestock owners. We plan to ask for the trapping/destruction of at least 3 known nuisance bears. I had one charge the kids and I last year in our yard. It is out of control.

 

[panner123]

The bear WILL be back in 7 to 10 days. At least that is the way it is around here. Do not think you can run it off with a pellet or paint ball gun, they are hungry and will fight for any food they can find. A shot gun with slugs or buck shot will work, but a 30/06 works better. If you see it put it down or you will be putting your family at risk. If it tore the door off the coop, it can do the same to the door on your house. If you don't eat it, bury it deep. Do not tell anyone about it, this is the SSS rule. 49 years ago when I left N J we killed to bears on my Grandfathers farm in Middlesex County. From relatives and friends I hear they are worst now. One killed a pair of poddles on my sister's place in Skillmen a couple of years ago. Her neighbors only saw it twice after that and she won't even tell me if she shot it. She may be an old lady now, but growing up she could out shoot most boys in town.

 

[chicamama03]

How about a big livestock dog? I'm surprised your dog didn't hear anything?

So sorry.

 

[BLUeggy]

Wow that is scary!! So so sorry for your loss!

Yes Im surprised your dog didnt hear! Sneaky bear!!!

 

[terrilhb]

I am so sorry for your loss. How terrible. Sending lots of

 

[dmccann]

I am very sorry to here of your loss,we had a bear come around here in the fall,we had to put an electric fence around the coop,it looks ugly and was an expense but we had no choice.