Bobcat in coop

[jesusonhi]

How do you keep bobcats from getting into your chicken coop? I can't have any more dogs so that's not an option. One came through the top of my coop and killed 10 birds. It was horrible.

 

[Percheron chick]

I had something similar happen. There was enough room for him to get in using the gap for the rafters. I covered every hole between the wall and roof with plywood.
Where or how did he get in? He will be back.

 

[jesusonhi]

Sadly, part of the roof is chicken wire. We have to solidify the top with plywood if that's the best way to go. I was thinking motion lights? Electric fence?

 

[Percheron chick]

Take some pictures in the morning.

 

[Howard E]

My vote is for the electric fence. You can go with the electric poultry netting, but I have an upscale version of what this guy did.........

When I say upscale, I mean my own version, built with components similar to the kit and a really hot fencer. But follow the video to see the process and stick with it until the end. Imagine yourself doing that......then imagine the varmint doing that........normally, nobody comes back for a second dose.

 

[thomasboyle]

HowardE has it right. Electric fence is my #1 deterrent to predators. Keep them from getting anywhere near the coop. I used to lose 1-2 chickens and ducks a month, and I put up 48" high electric net fence 3 years ago, and have not had a single loss to predators since. And I have bobcats, coyotes, bears, fox and raccoons all around. I have game cameras set up around my place, and I get pics of bobats and coyotes every 2-3 days, bears weekly, but they stay away from the birds. #2 deterrent should be a fortress of a coop. Chicken wire is for keeping chickens in, not keeping predators out. My coop has an outer layer of welded fence with 2"x4" holes, and an inner layer of 1/2" hardware wire. The field fence keeps the large predators at bay and the hardware wire fence keeps anything from reaching in. No gaps larger than 1" or some predator will be able to get in.

 

[jesusonhi]

Thank you. We are in the process of redoing the coop now.

 

[jesusonhi]

Do I have to use electric poultry netting? If so, how strong does the jolt have to be?

 

[bobbi-j]

A less expensive alternative to the electric netting would be several strands of electric fence wire around your run. Is the ground frozen where you live? Snow on the ground?

 

[jesusonhi]

No snow yet.