Hello from East Central Minnesota!

[MsFlocker]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Protect your flock. The predator will be back.

We're keeping them locked up in the coop now, which is very secure. Looking for a run/pen option, because I would like them to go outside, even if they can't free range like they used to.

 

[MsFlocker]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I have successfully kept my flock within a 1/3 acre pen surrounded by electrified poultry netting for 4 years with no losses from ground predators.

Thank you! I'm going back and forth about electrified versus hardware cloth. Is electrified difficult to maintain? That's the only drawback I've seen mentioned.

 

[BlueBaby]

@MsFlocker I was wondering if you live in an area where the electric might go out on you often? If you do, then you wouldn't be able to trust the electrified during those time's.

 

[N F C]

Sorry to read of your losses. A strong hardware cloth run (covered) will be a good deterrent, be sure to have an apron around the base to prevent anything from digging into the run.

Best wishes.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! I'm so sorry about your losses!

 

[MsFlocker]

Thank you for the kind welcome. I super appreciate it!

 

[Blue Raptor]

We have buff orphington and black australorps hens, no roosters. Last week, something or things killed nine of them. It was ground-based, happened during the day (we were gone), and is possibly a cacher, given the number of chickens killed. We're thinking coyote or fox, since both are in the area. Looking for outdoor pen suggestions since my ladies can no longer safely run through the yard. Thank you so much.

Welcome to BYC!! Um sorry about your hens, they look so beautiful.

 

[Grammy60]

Hi and welcome to BYC So sorry for your losses

 

[DobieLover]

Is electrified difficult to maintain?

Not at all. As long as you set it up correctly initially the only thing you need to do is spray the fence line with vegetation killer three or four times a year.

If you do, then you wouldn't be able to trust the electrified during those time's.

The animals that get their lessons off the fence don't come back for a second try. And I believe that they teach others of the dangers of the fence. I've had my fence turned off intentionally or go out because of power failures and I've never had a problem with a breach.

 

[BlueBaby]

The animals that get their lessons off the fence don't come back for a second try. And I believe that they teach others of the dangers of the fence. I've had my fence turned off intentionally or go out because of power failures and I've never had a problem with a breach.

That's good to know then. I was worried about it.