Do BEARS bother chickens?

[Chickens R Us]

I have a huge bear that comes around every spring to eat out of the bird feeder, when I notice he's around I stop feeding the birds and keep all food smells to a minimum. He stops coming after a couple of days. He has not bothered my chickens as of yet. (knock on wood)

 

[Haunted55]

I have a huge bear that comes around every spring to eat out of the bird feeder, when I notice he's around I stop feeding the birds and keep all food smells to a minimum. He stops coming after a couple of days. He has not bothered my chickens as of yet. (knock on wood)

Here's something to try. Get some cayenne pepper, some bird seed and spray cooking oil. Put the bird seed onto a cookie sheet or whatever, spary with the oil and then liberaly dose with the cayenne. Bears have the receptors to feel the heat while birds do not. Scotch bonnets would work better, lol, but sometimes are hard to find. I've done this and it works fairly well. Not always, but most times the bear will get disgusted and leave and not come back.

 

[gatorcountry]

We are in Southwest Florida and have problems with black bears, bobcats, panthers, hawks, owls you name it we've got it....and they all love chickens! It's the price you pay for living in paradise. Think about how strong you want your coop then build it twice as strong. The same for the electric fence- the only way to keep the bigger critters out. I have four lines one at 12",18", 24"& 36". Although I would love to free range my chickens that would just be like setting the dinner table. Sorry for your loss