Do spotlights deter predators ?

[CamillaRules]

The fisher cat came back at 4 a.m. today! Our Newfoundland dog raised hell and we turned on the floodlights, but someone suggested getting a motion detecting, solar-powered spot light. I was going to position it right over the hatch door. Has anyone tried these and do they work? My 6 remaining hens were still a little upset this a.m., but everyone's alive, thank goodness.

 

[Oregon Blues]

Predators around here aren't bothered in the least by lights.

Maybe a very wild, very shy animal might be the first time. The most likely reaction would be to freeze and then if nothing happens, to ignore the light.

If the light goes on and then someone blasts a shotgun at them they will be more cautious in the future about the spotlight going on.

I suggest that you take a good look at the state of your fencing to keep your visitor out of your coop.

I wish bright lights did frighten them. There would be a lot less wildlife dead on the roads.

 

[CapricornFarm]

No, I don't think so. We have a streetlight type of light in the back as well as front yards that light things up well at night, but I have seen coons and foxes both right under the lights. I heard a radio on a talk station might help but secure the coop for sure.

 

[effie]

Here is what I wonder-now that I am typing this I am going to try it tonight. I have motion lights and I wonder if you took the bulb out and screw in an outlet plug and then plug in a radio to it. Put it on high on a station you get well and see if this works. I have always wanted to try it for the deer that eat my flowers every year

It is a thought!!!

 

[ReikiStar]

There is a sprinkler that is motion activated. Wonder if that would work at night. I'm thinking a shot in the face with water would be a good deterrent.

If not, we're fans of electrical hot wire fencing. Keeps everyone and every thing away from the coop/run!

 

[33yardbirds]

I had the floods on for my wife because in the winter it's dark when she gets home from work. Just happened to be watching 3 deer in the back corner and not 10' feet from the house I see a nice healthy Red fox heading towards where we now have chickens. At that time we had no birds. Even as a kid I would see coons opossum and other assorted critters walk through the floods. I've noticed motion lights will freeze them for a second, when they realize alls well they mosey about their business like nothing happened.

 

[stubbornhill]

Quote:
We definatly have fox around and they are hungry. Saw two crossing the lawn the other day. We put a radio out in the barn two weeks ago for the cows. (helps them get used to noise) I wondered myself if this would help deter the fox. As I said, I have seen two in the past week, but they were no where near the barn and certainly could have been if they wanted to and certainly they can hear our chickens. Might be worth trying!

 

[CamillaRules]

Quote:
My second thought was to get out there with the gun, but I think it would be gone before I spotted it.

 

[aprophet]

google leaning pole set the top coupla links are pretty good just another option