We've had our chickens since April. We think a fox just discovered this fact. Our chickens have access to their run from the coop from around 8am till I'm done with work, around 6pm. In the summer and fall, it was still light. Now, it is dark by 5pm. At 6pm, I went to tuck the girls in and lock up the coop, but came up short on the head count. I found one of my BO dead in the run, belly open. I could see tracks along the run where an animal, presumably a fox, paced several times before climbing the run fence. We have no netting on now due to the snow. (our mistake) We're thinking of running an electric fence wire along the bottom at 6" from the ground, then again around 18" up. With winter snow, will the bottom wire short out? Should we just place the wire higher than we believe the snow will get? I'm afraid now that the predator has found an easy source for meals, it'll be back! I'd like to get the fencer installed this weekend. Thanks for any input.
Put the first wire at 6 inches, and use a cut off switch for when snow gets deep. I'd also put a 3rd wire at the top cut off switch : http://www.tractorsupply.com/electr...mmc=affiliates-_-froogle-_-datafeed-_-3600273
In a pinch, you can also just clip the lead to the bottom wire so it is dead and then reconnect it back when conditions allow. Only takes a couple of minutes. But the switch is best for long term application. Agree on the third wire near the top or even a fourth one. It is cheap to do.
Bear foot and Mdbokc both nailed it. I did 4 courses, beginning 8" and stopping at 42". I am thinking of adding onw or two more since fence is 6 ft tall. I really good thing to have for poultry protection. With that, dig protection, and a strong secure coop locked down every evening, you will be safe. Get a medium sized or larger one too. No use to have a weak shock. Might just get a bear or bobcat or coyote as a visitor. I had to go with 8" at the bottom course because of the size of my mower.
:rantok...the chickens are on lockdown. They were allowed outside in the run during the daylight hours only. I checked on them at 1:00pm, and at 4:00 I saw a small red tailed hawk feasting on the remains of one of my EE! The other girls were inside the coop. I've gotta get a top on the run, or the birds will be on permanent lockdown. The coop is 8x8, and now there are 13 chickens left. I know officially that is enough room, but I think the do so much better with room to run around outside. Ughhh! I'll have to try to make a roof out of chicken wire, in addition to the wire run along the outside...this will hopefully keep out the hawk and the fox!! It's been a rough week on my birds:rant
I actually think it was a possum. Did it have its insides? I it did not then I would say possum. And for hawks, I fence will stop them or maybe look at the Hensaver (I have never tried it). Here is the link for the hensaver. http://www.hensaver.com/ Also, here is the net that we use and it has worked great so far. http://www.premier1supplies.com/list.php?mode=list&cat_id=139 Matthew
I lost 3 birds in 2 weeks until I put up electric fence around the run and at the top and bottom of the coop. Haven't lost any birds since then. Don't even see tracks anymore. I think they got the idea!!
