Bears

[ozark hen]

Welcome Debby, I wish we lived closer...or maybe not? I would rather not have a bear in my back yard although they are in our area now

I say this as we have a very large part great pyr dog who just won't shut up barking the entire night

It is a good thing we live in the middle of 82 acres as it reduces the noise level for our neighbors.

He is huge and just over one year old and I can't find a home for him

His name is Hagrid. We have to keep him chained up as he tries to "play" with the poultry and ends up killing them by pawing them to death. he was raised inside the coop since he was three weeks old so he does not bite them but does his best to try to get them to play with him. I feel so sorry for him as I don't want a dog I have to keep chained up.
Above all else

glad to have you aboard! Electric fencing seems to be the answer for you.

 

[bluey]

Unfortunately, I must concur. I don't think that a bear-proof coop exists nor does it economically make much sense. If you've been on here long enough, you'll see that so many folks lose their chickens to their own dogs, even those "trained" or well behaved.

Good Luck with however you proceed and

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

We had a bear attempt to get into our turkey coop a couple of years ago, after that I put up electric fences. We havent lost a single bird to bears or dogs since.

 

[Jena]

Welcome and good luck with your bear proof coup.

makes me so glad I am in the boring old UK. But even I have to watch my Border Collie with my few girls.

He is probably more afraid that brave with them, and he feels safe running around the outside of the run, but I am still training him and watching, don;t want him knowing his power.

He just thinks they are a challenge to his spoilt position in the family and are taking his treats I think....lol.

That is enough for me to cope with. You will find all the best tips here. ''Welcome"!!!!

Jena.

 

[panner123]

Quote:
I don't think a bear proop coop exists either, but I CAN build you one. I figured the cost of one the size of my main coop, $35,000. Heck I can buy a lot of chickens and fencing for that much. The materials needed is 1/2" steel plate, 8" or 10" I-beams, a good welder and an 8" cement floof. Once you get it up, it needs central heat and air or you will cook the chickens in the summer and freeze them in the winter. I have lost more thean a few chickens to dogs, but NOT one to my own dog. Neighbors have had to replace a number of thier dogs. Some of them think the dors are bear,bobcat, coyote, or mountian lion snacks. Then I do have a back hoe that digs a deep hope.

 

[Emzyyy]

Motion-Sensored lights are a good idea if they come at night.

 

[GopherBoyFarms]

wow a $35,000 coop...anyone have that kind of $$ for a coop, let us know we will come build it!Our first coop was under $600 and I dont think a bear would be getting in there...and our 2nd coop has been free so far....and I bet when it is finished a bear would have a hard time getting into that.
But maybe I dont know much about bears

 

[panner123]

One of the best things to keep bears away is a radio in the coop, on a talk show. It is something about a human voice that bothers them. Motion lights with a whislerer in one of the sockets works good. People only think the coop is bear proof until a bear wants in. Some think that a bear can't get in a car if the doors are closed. Well, a bear can rip a door or trunk open like a hot knife though butter. I have hunted bear with dogs and when a bear has had enough of being chased, it will turn on the dogs.
The last time I hunted bear, a bear turned on the dogs and killed six and crippled eight that seven of those had to be put down. Then the bear came hunting us. They are a lot smarter than they are given credit for. I live in the Sierra foothills on a cayon above the American River. Every year I have at least one bear test the electric fence. Once on my side, it is dealt with by my two friends (Smith & Wesson). I have killed one with a bow that surprised me and it was only about 5 yards away. Luckly it went away from me when I hit it. This past summer the state trapper got 9 and my neighbors killed at least that many. Every sow had twins or better. One had 5 cubs with her when a logging truck hit her. If you ever go to Yosomite, the ranger will tell you a bear can smell an unopen can of tuna at a mile, believer him.

 

[DebbyW]

You all have great ideas. I like the music, motion light and whistle ideas in addition to the electric fence. The coop would not be far from our bedroom window. We already have quite a few motion lights around our house and shop and lots of wildlife setting them off. My dogs look out the window when the lights come on and bark if they see something. So far when the bear has come around at night and the light comes on, he runs away pretty quickly. I hope this is an indication of how it would continue to act if we get chickens. I live in Fall City, WA so if anyone has coop building skills, let me know.

Thanks,
Debby

 

[sandypaws]

buy a DOG that is BRED to do the JOB you want it to do!!
not just "any" dog will do..
i own 3 KARELIAN BEARDOGS.(look them up, bred for hundereds of years to hunt bear, but new to the USA). they will keep predators away..
but like with MOST hunting breeds need to be taught to leave the chickens alone... i use hotwire to keep the dogs out of the chicken yard... in turn the dogs will keep all predators out... and they have protected ME from, strangers..
smart great loyal family dogs