Expert Advice Needed On Run & Predators: Please Clear This Up!

[Debbi]

Caroline,

If your friend is catching and releasing, she needs to go way farther than a "few" miles! Racoons typically range in a 10-15 mile radius, so if she's only driving them out 3-5 miles, they WILL be back! A nice 20 mile drive to the country would be much better for all involved!

Debbi

 

[Laurajean]

Quote:
Really? Good to know!

 

[WoodlandWoman]

An apron/flange of wire lays on top of the ground, at the base of the fence, attached to the fence. It doesn't get buried, although some people put a thin layer of dirt on top, just to hold it down. Grass will grow through it and you can mow right over the top of it. If you're having trouble with any areas not laying flat, you can weigh it down with whatever you want or use landscape fabric pins. It's a lot easier than digging a trench to bury wire.

 

[Laurajean]

Quote:
Oh! I think I get it now! In other words, you have the wall of the run come down, and then bend it outward at a 90 degree angle for a couple of feet? Outward, right? Not in to the run, but outside of the run? I have to admit the trench idea sounds very difficult, mainly because I'm disabled, but also because it's nothing but ledge in my yard and digging is difficult.

So is the idea that the predator/raccoon, etc approaches the run and tries to dig close to it and can't? They don't think to move out a few feet and dig?

That is really interesting!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Yup, that's it exactly

Much easier to install than digging, and just as good if you do it properly. (It won't keep rats out, but, practically nothing will).

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

There is something called a Nite-guard. It is a solar recharged red LED flashing light. I was having problems with coons stealing my hens & eggs. I spent about $30 on the Nite-guard & haven't lost anything to predators in over 2 years, & I live in the "boonies" of Arkansas. The light resembles the reflection of a predatory animals eye & I swear by it! You can find them in just about any poultry magazine.

 

[skeeter03]

Well we have had one problem with coons or coyotes cant determine for sure which it was but....that was cause we had just chicken wire.
now our run is such and havent had a problem since-
We buried the welded hardware clothe wire in the ground about 1 foot but we also put it out buried - apron (figured if I am digging to bury the other wire just make it big enough)
from the coop about one foot put some good big rocks all on top of that then buried it.
our door to the run is up about 2 feet with hardware cloth buried on the bottom and then the door has childproof latches on it and is made of heavy duty plywood.
the door to the coop is the same we have a plexi glass window in it but venting on the top under the eaves of the coop about a 1 inch space all around.
i also put a huge stump in front of the door if we are going away for any length of time at night.
also helps if you have a dog and tie him on at random nights lol. I think this has probably been the biggest help.
Good luck if you are super worried buy an electric fence and put that around the run and the door to the coop.

 

[drumstick diva]

Alot of people swear by a few strands of electric wire on the outside of the pen where chickens can't reach it. I know a shock would sure scare me off. One poster said they spread peanutbutter on the electric wire and they could tell by all the screeching when a raccoon was dumb enough to lick it off. It didn't come back.

 

[catsmithpuddin]

I tried a different approach and it has worked so far. I built a sturdy frame with a 4x on the bottom edges. attached the chicken wire, yes chicken wire, and left a 8 " apron folded out. The key to my plan is marking my territory. I hit the corners every few evenings and have not had dogs, skunks, coons, possums, snakes, or any other critter try to get in.

Got the idea from dances with wolves! Kevin staked his claim that way so i do to.

And yes I live in the sticks with all those critters passing thru the yard most nights.

There are advantages being the ALPHA DOG! LOL

 

[bfrancis]

I live in the woods, we have a copious amount of raccoons, opossums, skunks, snakes and bobcats...with a couple of coyotes and owls for the mix...so far, knock on wood, I've not lost a soul.

Check out my BYC coop page. My set is not the best, and I continue to learn. But it started out as a new shed and now is close to Ft. Knox...(I was stationed there for a while and do know what it looks like).

My chickens are locked up at night, let out in the morning, so don't temp the fates...

Hope this helps, don't get discouraged, settlers had chickens long before us and they survived...

Enjoy your flock!