Chickens living free sharing the land with the predators

[MysteryChicken]

Because only one post holds it the edge of the balcony is 2.5’ minimum from it for the predator to use the hind legs to climb up. I watched videos how raccoon, cats and dogs can climb over and all need vertical support to push up even if they grab the edge with front feet. Also because of the small space between overhang roof and the balcony edge they can not land with all four even if they can jump up. That stops the owls to get there too. Let's say they would get up than they have to tear down the smart siding board, also my chickens have exit door. Because they have the overhang roof and the entrance is so camouflage, they are not on display and no one even tried yet. I had 3 owls coming for three months day and night and they never figured it out. I had a family of the raccoons in the tree what fell on my house and they never figured it out. So what do you think?

The fencing next to the coop is enough support for them to get onto, or into the coop.

 

[Dita Orlik]

The fencing next to the coop is enough support for them to get onto, or into the coop.

That is true, that's because I don't have to go all the way since I have the dogs and it is so close to the house, but regardless they can’t reach the balcony with the hind legs and overhang roof makes very narrow space between. If I had it far from the house it would be more Slick.

 

[MysteryChicken]

That is true, that's because I don't have to go all the way since I have the dogs and it is so close to the house, but regardless they can’t reach the balcony with the hind legs and overhang roof makes very narrow space between. If I had it far from the house it would be more Slick.

You'll be amazed at what some of the animals I listed can achieve if determined enough.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Regular Red Fox climbing tree.

 

[Dita Orlik]

You'll be amazed at what some of the animals I listed can achieve if determined enough.

I would, I am surrounded by coyotes, raccoons, snakes even cougar, stray dogs. If my dogs would not chase coyotes every night they would come to the front porch. but if you put your chickens on display the predators are mesmerised and never give up. That's why I have the extra mesh wire camouflaged with vegetation attached to the roof and that stopped them from staring and waiting for it. When it shows that is difficult they have to make a choice to risk their life especially when they cannot see what's up there. My coop evolved from observing the nature. it's so funny that even chickens is not going to figure out how to get up unless someone shows them.

 

[Dita Orlik]

Regular Red Fox climbing tree.View attachment 3982508

 

[No Coop No Problem]

Haha…immortal is funny. Do you have foxes or coyotes? would they survive then?

I have a fox den on my land and they were here before me. Over the years they've caught no more than half a dozen chickens, whereas my flock more than doubles in number each year. I don't think foxes are capable of sustaining themselves on game chickens or even game mixes

 

[Dita Orlik]

Exactly, my only post is holding the whole structure and it is min 2.5 feet from the edge, fox needs the hind feet to brace of the vertical surface to get up.

 

[Dita Orlik]

I have a fox den on my land and they were here before me. Over the years they've caught no more than half a dozen chickens, whereas my flock more than doubles in number each year. I don't think foxes are capable of sustaining themselves on game chickens or even game mixes

But how long the chicken lives is the question, the fact that they can successfully breed and populate is nice but will they live two years average like in San Diego, zoo? Instead, 15 to 30 years? That's what I want, and I'm trying to figure that out. So far 1 1/2 years old…

 

[No Coop No Problem]

But how long the chicken lives is the question, the fact that they can successfully breed and populate is nice but will they live two years average like in San Diego, zoo? Instead, 15 to 30 years? That's what I want, and I'm trying to figure that out. So far 1 1/2 years old…

Not sure. I've had chickens free-ranging here since August of '21, so my oldest hens are just a little over 3 years old

It's remarkable how different a production breed and game breed feel at three years of age. Production reds feel elderly but the games are still spry and youthful