I have been trying to keep some silkies in a barn I have. But something always comes in an kills my hens. It leaves the rooster alone....(the coward isn't doing a very good job protecting his hens)....but it always kills my beautiful hens. What can I do? Do you think a big duck or goose will help?
I think its time you build them a secure run inside the barn, or made a chicken tractor. That would keep them safe. You could let them out to free range when you are there to watch them. Getting a duck or goose is not going to help - the predator will probably eat the duck, and the goose may well attack you silkies, and it will make a lot of noise and mess for you to clean up.
It sounds like you need to spend your time and efforts in making a more secure coop. Even if you have to make the area they are in smaller, they should be in a secure area. It is hard, but it can be done. Good luck and welcome to BYC!
They need a safe secure home. The barn sounds like a good start, you just need to close in part of it so predators can't get to your chickens. Chicken wire is not a good choice as a raccoon can rip right through it. I used hardware cloth on all open spaces for my coop and run. There are lots of good ideas in the coop/run section. Good luck to you and welcome to BYC!
I would build them a coop within the barn. You Might want to set a live trap or two--that's the only really effective solotion to many rodents.
I'll go with the other folks....you really have to build a secure coop,wether it is a stall in the barn or a stand-alone building,it has to be done or you will continue to loose birds! Use chain link or welded wire and then cover it with hardware cloth to be really safe. Depending on how many chickens you'll have it can either be a complete stall or just a small corner. Size it to be cozy for the number of birds you'll have.
