- Thread starter
- #11
Western North Carolina
Chirping
- Jul 28, 2018
- 69
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I live south of fontana dam, 3 miles south of the western smoky mountains. 80 percent of the land in this county is gov forest. I have about 1/2 to a 1/2 acre grassed, and the rest is surrounded by tall trees. Behind my house is nothing but forest. So lots of predators. I don't have a dog, so nothing to chase them off. I'm just not sure what kind of electric fence kit to buy. Looks like I'd be better off ordering it in parts. It is unlikely a bear will come, but it is always possible. I know there are coyotes nearby and I have seen a bobcat 1/4 mile or less from my house. Tons of possums. I saw a raccoon not too far off. It is pretty wet here. There is a creek 50 feet from the coop, and also a small spring fed brook like 6 feet from it. Rains quite often. The coops were there when I bought the house, but they need to be cleaned thoroughly, reinforced and fixed up. I need to build one secure run. Then I plan on having several decent sized lightweight "chicken tractors" for when I am home. Maybe some chicken "tunnels." Whatever I can do to let them roam a little without a hawk attack. Hawks are fearless and it's hard to spot them in the trees. I had planned on free ranging, but after a hawk came down 2 feet away from me while I was moving them from temporary outside enclosure to inside the house in their temporary sleeping pen, I know that's not possible. I will try to make larger areas that are hawk/dog proof. But I need at least one really secure run for when I can't be home during day. Materials are a lot more expensive than I thought. I'm trying to find the least expensive ways to get the final result I need. Wire fencing is PRICEY. I have 30 bantams right now, but will probably try to sell off some excess roosters. But that's tough. I know for sure i have one roo, but he's my sweety pie, so I'm hesitating selling. I get attached and worry a new home won't be good to them. What a pickle, lol.