critter defense

[schlakhouse]

just starting chicken experience again after 35 years. we are securing the house very well but i have a weird question....when i had rabbit problems in my garden, a scarecrow worked immediatly. i was wondering if i made lifelike scarecrows hanging out around the coop with a small light on them at night, would this keep the coyotes and racoons away??? has anyone out there done this?

and it looks like spraying hydro peroxide and then vinegar right after is the best disinfect? i believe i just use a sprayer and douse the walls and floor?

thank you for your time

 

[4 the Birds]

"Life like scarecrows" lighted up at night may be kinda creepy!

We add a scarecrow to the garden for fun more that function. I also have life like owls and they work a little bit even if you move them around every day or two. A nightlight and even a radio may deter predators somewhat but I would bank on making a strong run as the best fail safe choice. Bird netting over garden plants is also superior to any type of scary things to hang. Even deer get use to motion detector flood lights if they are hungry and want to eat yard bushes (our previous house had a real deer problem!).

To do cleaning, use bleach and delute it with water. Protective gloves and glasses and then rinse with water. Hope this helps!

 

[DeerFangRanch]

Hard to beat and good fence. Racoons are sneaky and coyotes and sly.

 

[DeerFangRanch]

Hard to beat and good fence. Racoons are sneaky and coyotes and sly.

That's supposed to be coyotes ARE sly.

 

[RoostersCrow HensDeliver!]

When I had my hens in the barn, I would play the radio all night as a coon and possum deterrent.

Secure fencing should be your #1 priority. Make sure that you don't use chicken wire because it can easily be ripped by raccoons, foxes, and coyotes. Hardware cloth is definitely worth the extra cost.

Edit
I just want to add that I have an electric net fence to give my birds a safe area to free range. I have a 25 mile charger on a 165 foot long fence and it will send any hopeful predator running with its tail between its legs.

IMO this fence is one of the best purchases I've made. I actually have a second one on order for my meat chickens

 

[schlakhouse]

yeah...i guess your right about the creepy, probably mostly to the chickens

. i have some pretty fun functional scarecrows right now but my mind just goes a hundred miles and hour on things to try...i got some nice comments and i think i may try the radio too.

i guess the fencing is where its at. also, may see about the electric netting. one reply said it is the best ever. thanks for your time.

 

[schlakhouse]

the netting sounds great..about how much is the investment? ive just purchased two coops, cornish rock chicks, 5 layers and all the feed and extras and am trying to stop spinning for a moment. i plan on a covered pen area and i can see that the fence is going to be the big one yet...ouch. am anxious to get my first egg! thanks for the information.