Fisher Cat

[huffman12]

Does anyone have any experience with these monsters, one was outside the coop a few days ago then in tree last night. I tried to shoot it out of the tree but missed probabl ynot my best idea.

Thanks !

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What is the status on the security of your coop and run? They are strong, able to fit through rather surprisingly small spaces and can do quite a number on your birds once they make entry to the enclosure.

 

[huffman12]

the security is solid i would say, the run has two layers of wire running around the entire structure. Would is it attracted to the smell of the hens or is it a random that it was there 2 out of three days

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What type of wire and is the run covered or open topped? The first appearance may have been happenstance, but the following appearance(s) would be due to having noticed a nice chicken buffet in the area.

 

[huffman12]

wire mesh that is renforced with chicken wire, the first morning the fisher was circling the run but couldnt find a way in.

 

[junebuggena]

Chicken wire doesn't reinforce anything. Fisher cats and raccoons can tear right through it.

 

[huffman12]

yeah the chicken wire doesnt do much the wire mesh is what protects it, im just worried that when the birds are free reanging the fisher will come back

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

yeah the chicken wire doesnt do much the wire mesh is what protects it, im just worried that when the birds are free reanging the fisher will come back

What size are the openings in the wire mesh and what gauge is the wire? 2x4 field fence/woven wire/welded wire fencing is heavy enough to help, but the openings are large enough that some surprisingly large predators can get through it. If the mesh is hardware cloth with 1/2 inch openings, that is much more likely to prevent entry by even the smallest of predators.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not a "Ft Knox" flock keeper - my run is cattle panels (openings larger than 2x4) with poultry netting over the skeleton. I am well aware of how insecure the run is with regards to most predators being able to get through the poultry netting and go right through the cattle panels - but for my own personal assessment of the risk factors and the amount of risk I am willing to accept with regards to possible loss of birds, I feel safe enough with providing an extra barrier during roosting hours (when birds are most vulnerable, predators are most active and we are least likely to be aware of them/able to intercede) by closing the birds inside the coop. Each of us has to decide what risk we are willing to take and what we can afford to do to prevent loss - I just don't like to see folks have an unrealistic idea of how much protection their setup truly offers.

 

[Chickenshoe]

keep shootin at it Huff. you will get it eventually...its the only way you will get rid of it, either you dispose of the problem or the food source ( your chickens disappear) then it will move on to someone else's birds... as for free ranging, you cant protect them there.. lock em up tight at night and your probably good

 

[slingshotandLAR]

I free range my chickens and have only lost one in 3 years, even though I caught this guy 10 yards behind the coop.

I did release this guy as he was out of season. I was able to re-catch him 3 months later though. This one never bothered my birds, I would be worried if one takes interest in your chickens though, they won't stand a change against a fisher.


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