Guarding the Chicken Coop

[Chick Charm]

I would set traps as well to deter predators. Providing cover is essential for free rangers. And a tight coop and run keeps out EVERYTHING. You'll figure it out. Have you seen the rooster back yet?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: A broody hen SITS
It doesn't matter if there is anything there at all, dead or alive

 

[HeatherUribe]

No, we do not know for sure what the predator was, but we suspect it was a fox and not an owl or hawk. The former owners trapped a fox before, so there is a history. I saw an add for a niteguard flashing light that is supposed to detract pests. It's not motion sensored, it flashes all the time. I was considering investing in some of those, too. I'll look into the hard wire cloth, too.

 

[HeatherUribe]

We have the opportunity to add another full grown rooster to the flock. I met someone at the feed store that's looking for a home for his Rhode Island Red rooster, so I was going to give him a call.

 

[cafarmgirl]

A rooster can be helpful, he will watch and give warning, sometimes enough for the hens to get away. But he will be no match for coyote, fox, dog or just about any other predator that wants a meal. They often loose their own life in the process of trying to let hens get away. I depend on mine, he's in my avatar, primarily for hawk warning and he does that job very well. Everything else I fence out. My birds semi-free range in a securely fenced and hot wired pasture and are well secured at night. We have lots of coyote, fox and roaming dogs so my chickens would have been wiped out long ago.

 

[cowsr4eating]

What a beautiful coop and run! Ours is very functional but not that pretty. I'm going to send this to my husband. He's planning on building a second coop for us soon. I'm assuming you designed this yourself? I want my next one to be that pretty too!