Free ranging squirrel problem

[GoatGirl123]

Hi guys! My chickens are partially free ranging someday as they spend all day in the coop but most of the time they are let out atVarious times. They always come back to lather eggs but recently we have been having problems with squirrels stealing our eggs. The problem is now that the only way to prevent squirrels from stealing the eggs is to shut the coop&run, but as I have some girls who are laying well into the afternoon, without access to their coop and run, they will lay their eggs wherever they want (like under a bush) anyone have any suggestions on what I can do about this?

 

[cmom]

I don't free range anymore due to losses from predators in the past but do have nice large pens for my birds. I have electric wires around my coops and pens, good heavy duty netting covering the pens and concrete under the gates all due to again, losses from predators. Nothing has gotten past the electric wires so far. I think that the predators once they are zapped realize that whatever is on the other side isn't worth getting zapped for. A couple of snakes tried to go through the wires and were electrocuted. Anything else that touches the hot wires will hurt but that is the idea, I want them to hurt to make an impression. I think the adult predators teach their young that a bird isn't worth getting zapped for. I also have several cameras up and most nights, when they roam here, I see a predator on at least one of the cameras. Good luck...

 

[GoatGirl123]

Thanks

 

[Al Gerhart]

Are the squirrels also feasting on your chicken feed? They will if they can and squirrels are tough to stop even with a treadle feeder.

Have you considered getting an auto coop door and letting the hens out later in the day after they have laid?

 

[McChooky]

Sounds like you need a big run that will keep squirrels out so they don't have to be kept locked up in a coop. You can always let them free range later in the day for a couple hours.Btw squirrels and chipmonk's both also eat baby chicks(birds)

 

[B-Goock]

Those squirrels are persistent critters. Maybe lightening the population is a good answer?
A pellet gun can work. Live trap. Relocate. Check local laws or ask a DNR officer.
In my area they are in season. Squirrel N dumplings?

 

[McChooky]

Hi guys! My chickens are partially free ranging someday as they spend all day in the coop but most of the time they are let out atVarious times. They always come back to lather eggs but recently we have been having problems with squirrels stealing our eggs. The problem is now that the only way to prevent squirrels from stealing the eggs is to shut the coop&run, but as I have some girls who are laying well into the afternoon, without access to their coop and run, they will lay their eggs wherever they want (like under a bush) anyone have any suggestions on what I can do about this?

Better to lock the chickens in than locking them out and the chickens having nowhere to hide from predators. Squirrels are the real problem not the chickens.They are eating your chicken feed and egss both likely.Until you can figure out a way to get rid of the squirrels you may have to keep your chickens up in a run.How big is your coop and run?

 

[GoatGirl123]

Better to lock the chickens in than locking them out and the chickens having nowhere to hide from predators. Squirrels are the real problem not the chickens.They are eating your chicken feed and egss both likely.Until you can figure out a way to get rid of the squirrels you may have to keep your chickens up in a run.How big is your coop and run?

Like 13 x 15‘, thank you for all of your guy responses I think we’re just going to be like in the chickens in and only letting them out while we are watching the coop.

 

[Humpy]

Those squirrels are persistent critters. Maybe lightening the population is a good answer?
A pellet gun can work. Live trap. Relocate. Check local laws or ask a DNR officer.
In my area they are in season. Squirrel N dumplings?

Haha!, squirrels are delicious!, biscuits and gravy with mine.

 

[svh]

Can't beat squirrel dumplins, or squirrel gravy ....