Hello from Vermont!

[Lulu-vt]

Hi there!
I used to be a member about a decade ago!! But here I am again.

I had chickens for many years. Sadly, my flock was decimated after multiple attacks from various critters- hawks, raccoons, fox, weasel…

I’m in bit of a panic mode though. I’m picking up my chicks next week and need to build my coop still. We had an older coop but…a bear just ripped off the door two days ago. Ugh.

I know…why am I getting chickens? Well, the bear was after the garbage can that my husband put in the empty coop. I’ve never even seen a bear close to our house before.

This is my hope…I can get my little chicks and raise them into feathered friends inside my extra bathroom while I build a new safe coop.

I’m getting 10 hens. They are pretty standard cold tolerant breeds…honestly, can’t remember what I selected. Buffs, Easter Egger’s, etc…

I’m going to post another thread in the coop section but wanted to say “hey” first.

I love reading about other peoples experiences and look forward to being part of this vibrant community again

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome back to BYC! We're glad you're here!

We get bear here now and then. Saw a raccoon last night on a deer cam. We have coyotes close by as we can hear them every single night. All these and more critters stay away as we have two dogs, just a border collie and a corgi, that manage to keep them away.

 

[muddy75]

Welcome to BYC

 

[pennyJo1960]

Hi there!
I used to be a member about a decade ago!! But here I am again.

I had chickens for many years. Sadly, my flock was decimated after multiple attacks from various critters- hawks, raccoons, fox, weasel…

I’m in bit of a panic mode though. I’m picking up my chicks next week and need to build my coop still. We had an older coop but…a bear just ripped off the door two days ago. Ugh.

I know…why am I getting chickens? Well, the bear was after the garbage can that my husband put in the empty coop. I’ve never even seen a bear close to our house before.

This is my hope…I can get my little chicks and raise them into feathered friends inside my extra bathroom while I build a new safe coop.

I’m getting 10 hens. They are pretty standard cold tolerant breeds…honestly, can’t remember what I selected. Buffs, Easter Egger’s, etc…

I’m going to post another thread in the coop section but wanted to say “hey” first.

I love reading about other peoples experiences and look forward to being part of this vibrant community again

Hot wire 3 strands and hardware cloth allot of praying.
Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out.

 

[Lulu-vt]

Hiya, and welcome back to BYC! We're glad you're here!

We get bear here now and then. Saw a raccoon last night on a deer cam. We have coyotes close by as we can hear them every single night. All these and more critters stay away as we have two dogs, just a border collie and a corgi, that manage to keep them away.

I really need to get a cam. We’ve never had one. Any that you would recommend? We have a lab. She often goes nuts inside. So most animals stay clear of the house. I think the bear may have been on the younger side. My son saw it and said it wasn’t much bigger than our dog. But obviously STRONG!!!

 

[Lulu-vt]

Hot wire 3 strands and hardware cloth allot of praying.
Welcome to Backyard Chickens. This is a great place to explore and hang out.

I think I need to look into the Hotwire. We’ve never used just a wire. We had goats forever and they kept the predators away…they were fainting goats so that’s actually kind of a joke! They fainted at everything.
But as soon as we re-homed our goats, (that’s a whole different story that mostly has to do with escape artist goats that we couldn’t contain) the predators started coming.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Welcome back, fellow Vermonter! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with!

 

[Debbie292d]

I really need to get a cam. We’ve never had one. Any that you would recommend? We have a lab. She often goes nuts inside. So most animals stay clear of the house. I think the bear may have been on the younger side. My son saw it and said it wasn’t much bigger than our dog. But obviously STRONG!!!

We use mostly Blink from Amazon. We have about 7 outdoor and one indoor in the coop and one in the incubator.

The deer cams we put further out where wifi doesn't reach.

The last bear a couple of weeks ago, I just got on my camera. They don't go after our chickens but want our sunflower seeds in the wild bird feeders. Suet was what they got this time. The feeders are now on pulleys up in the trees where they can't reach.

 

[N F C]

Hello, I agree with @pennyJo1960 about the hot wire to protect your flock. Best wishes with your upcoming flock!

 

[Tookie]

Hello, and welcome back to BYC! Nice to meet you.