Having continued predator issues

[Shawn's_momma]

I keep getting my whole flock wiped out and tweaking my coop

One more quick weird question. Once I feel it's secure, if I put raw meat in the coop would a predator try to get it? That way I can test the durability without using my chickens as bait.

Would/could this work?

 

[rIrs roost]

I keep getting my whole flock wiped out and tweaking my coop

One more quick weird question. Once I feel it's secure, if I put raw meat in the coop would a predator try to get it? That way I can test the durability without using my chickens as bait.

Would/could this work?

I would think so. If you have a game camera you could also see where it's getting in at.

 

[centrarchid]

Let's see pictures of your setup and work in that first. I occasionally bait inside perimeters but almost always have more than one perimeter protecting the chickens. You ascertain of continued loss means some shoring up needed immediately before any real testing.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

I keep getting my whole flock wiped out.... Once I feel it's secure, if I put raw meat in the coop would a predator try to get it? ....

What are chickens if not raw meat or predator bait?

If you put raw meat in your coop, the predators will have to beat your chickens off of it.



Seriously, chickens dearly love all meat, fried, boiled, raw, or what have you. But because you already have your chickens cooped up there is no reason to bait them with raw meat. However every predator will be interested in getting into your coop, run, or chicken pen especially if you neglect to clean up the raw meat everyday.

A good strong run or coop is required to protect chickens from predators but what works better is an integrated approach, which means a good strong chicken coop, run, pen, or house combined with good and dead chicken predators. You can even feed your chicken predators back to your chickens which is a win-win.

 

[Vampstorso]

What are chickens if not raw meat or predator bait?

If you put raw meat in your coop, the predators will have to beat your chickens off of it.



Seriously, chickens dearly love all meat, fried, boiled, raw, or what have you. But because you already have your chickens cooped up there is no reason to bait them with raw meat. However every predator will be interested in getting into your coop, run, or chicken pen especially if you neglect to clean up the raw meat everyday.

A good strong run or coop is required to protect chickens from predators but what works better is an integrated approach, which means a good strong chicken coop, run, pen, or house combined with good and dead chicken predators. You can even feed your chicken predators back to your chickens which is a win-win.

I think she means use bait before adding chickens to the coop, rather than risk their lives, as they don't currently have any?

 

[Howard E]

To the OP S. Mom........please do post some pictures of your coop and setup, with details shown for where you think the predators may have gained entry.
As devastating as it is for the grower who suffers the loss to predators, it is also frustrating for those of us who would dearly like to help you, but struggle with understanding your setup. It is also frustrating sometimes to convey to others what is secure and what is not.
I built a Woods open air house for my birds and after a year, I have had no losses of any birds to predators......either inside the coop at night or outside of it during they day. It was a bit of an effort and expense to build that thing, but it is simple and sturdy and it works. There are a few basic concepts required to build a safe coop......things that seem to work every time they are tried.

 

[Shawn's_momma]

Yes, I have been moving my 3 remaining ladies into my workshop at night. They are pooping (as they do) and stinking up the joint (as they do). I'm anxious to get

 

[rIrs roost]

What are chickens if not raw meat or predator bait?

If you put raw meat in your coop, the predators will have to beat your chickens off of it.



Seriously, chickens dearly love all meat, fried, boiled, raw, or what have you. But because you already have your chickens cooped up there is no reason to bait them with raw meat. However every predator will be interested in getting into your coop, run, or chicken pen especially if you neglect to clean up the raw meat everyday.

A good strong run or coop is required to protect chickens from predators but what works better is an integrated approach, which means a good strong chicken coop, run, pen, or house combined with good and dead chicken predators. You can even feed your chicken predators back to your chickens which is a win-win.

I think she means use bait before adding chickens to the coop, rather than risk their lives, as they don't currently have any?

That's the way I understood it too. Thanks