Concerned About the Time Change

[Rick M]

I like the camera idea. Do you guys have a suggestion of model or place of purchase that you like...
I have 6-7 moultree game cameras several different models and without user error they all work very well.
Another friend of mine always gets the cheaper ones from walmart after hunting season closes when they go on clearance sales for 30-50 dollars and they seem to work ok for a couple years.

 

[igorsMistress]

To solve the immediate issue, a pop door in the coop on a timer set for when it's dark rather tgan dusk will let the girls in and keep out predators until the run can be repaired. You can adjust the time the door closes as needed.

I would rather risk one or two birds getting locked out than my whole flock being wiped out.
ETA a camera will tell you what was there to dine and what you need to possibly trap, but unless you're there to watch it, I fail to see how they help much. If you know you have raccoons then you know what you're up against.

 

[Melky]

Ebay has a great selection of cameras. I have had the best luck with Moultrie brand. Definitely the most longevity and picture quality. I would stick with them. My last purchase was the A Series W-30i 14 MP. I only paid $60 for it. This is a pic off the camera, great picture quality of an ugly buck covered in deer flies:
View attachment 1505653

Thanks for the info. Good pic. Pricing seems reasonable. I may have to give this a try.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Coons are getting into their "secure" run right now. The fix is not going to be easy due to the open rafter configuration of the ceiling. Thanks for the words of advice.

I used hardware cloth to secure between rafters, held secure with 3/8" wire staples.

This is 1/4", 1/2" is stronger. Welded wire is strongest. 1"x 1" welded wire over 1/2" hardware cloth is strongest. 1"x 2" welded wire should be easier to find, and over top of 1/2" hardware cloth should do the trick. GC

 

[Dancing With Chickens]

I have begun stressing over the time change this fall.
I don't get home from work until 6 p.m., sometimes 7 p.m., if there
has been an accident. It's fine right now because it is still daylight.

What about when the time changes and it starts getting dark at 5 p.m.?
I have started worrying about coons launching an attack on my chickies
before I can get home from work to lock them up.

Thoughts/concerns/ideas out there?

If you have predator proof latches on the doors, and a safe run-coop area, your girls will be fine.

 

[jolly wattles]

If you have predator proof latches on the doors, and a safe run-coop area, your girls will be fine.

That's the problem. She said her run isn't secure.

 

[Northern.Ontario]

A 3 or 4 wire electric fence around the entire coop and run is the best protection, as long as there are no overhanging trees or objects.

 

[lazy gardener]

Maybe get a automatic pop door so there are locked securely in the coop at dusk? You can put it on a timer.

Ebay has a great selection of cameras. I have had the best luck with Moultrie brand. Definitely the most longevity and picture quality. I would stick with them. My last purchase was the A Series W-30i 14 MP. I only paid $60 for it. This is a pic off the camera, great picture quality of an ugly buck covered in deer flies:
View attachment 1505653

I have one section of my run blocked off for winter. This section is not completely predator proof, but has not yet been breached. I use an auto pop door, guillotine style on a timer. It is set to close shortly after dark, and opens after day light. This is not fool proof, b/c a predator COULD enter my run, and could enter the coop, thus getting shut in with the birds. But, I trust this option more than the pop door being accessible to a predator long after dark.

Electric fence not an option for me b/c my ground is snow covered from Nov through April.

To OP: YOu have time between now and the time change to beef up your run security. While it would be difficult to fix those open soffit areas of your run, THAT IS WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO SOLVE YOUR CURRENT PROBLEM.

Hardware cloth across each opening, secured with lath and screw, or bent at 90* to create a flange, and secured with screw and fender washers. OR install a fascia and or soffit board to close in those gaps.

Security in coop and run is an ongoing battle. I am constantly upgrading and inspecting for that, or upgrading the existing structure to make it more chicken/human user friendly. It's never completely done, and most likely won't be done until I get rid of all of my chickens.

 

[llombardo]

Show pictures of where raccoons are getting in. They are not good jumpers but can do 24" in a pinch. Hotwire is something I would try as part of mix using a low output fence charger. Do you have a game camera? You can use it to record how the are getting in so you can target your efforts?

So do you think a raccoon can jump about 3 ft from top of vinyl fence to top of enclosure? The enclosure has heavy duty netting.

 

[Lady J]

I used hardware cloth to secure between rafters, held secure with 3/8" wire staples.View attachment 1505665 This is 1/4", 1/2" is stronger. Welded wire is strongest. 1"x 1" welded wire over 1/2" hardware cloth is strongest. 1"x 2" welded wire should be easier to find, and over top of 1/2" hardware cloth should do the trick. GC

I worked past dark every day last week except Friday trying to plug all of the holes. I just knew I had it secured. I left the feeder down so that if a coon got in, I would see it on camera. 4 a.m., coon. :-( I will not be defeated. I have done either hardware cloth or field fence between the rafters. I can't tell that they have been disturbed or moved in any way. They have to be finding someplace else to get in. I will find it. Their days are numbered. I WILL find it.