Help - Any Ideas?

[CMV]

Wow! I am so sorry for your losses. I am stunned by the strength that must have been at work. I dread working with welded wire because it's so tough and nasty. Looking at that wire folded up like it was made of paper in your pictures, I am just... speechless. You need to move the rest of the birds inside until you can get some electric fencing in place. Then I would bait the electric fence to make sure that anything testing it will test it snout first.

You be careful. That bear may be back for a second course.

Good luck.

 

[bobbi-j]

Wow - I'm guessing bear, also. As far as electric fencing, I think it would work. We don't have bears in the part of MN where I live (although, a cougar has recently been seen, so who knows what might show up next?), but in the northern part of the state where there are lots of bears, the beekeepers always have several strands of electric fence around their hives to keep the bears out. I don't think they'd bother if it didn't work.

 

[woodyd]

I think that we had a bear get 4 of our 7 chickens . The SOB got the 3 that were laying and one other . Cant think of anything but a bear . Its built tight . Certaily not bear proof . Never figured for that . Any body hear of red lights ? The windows in the back are at 5' above the ground . Again looking like a bear . No bodies found so I'm thinking that a bear eat the whole thing. Just some feathers and some I am pretty sure that I found some bear scat. Looked like the string beans that just havent been tilled under ( bow seaon ) yet looked matted down by a larger animal but no good prints . Lots of rain yesterday . Not sure if we should eat the last 3 and stqart over in the spring or see if we can get 4-6 more . REally not sure if to rescreen and add a bit more and hope that it was a one time pass by . I'm out in the woods quite a bit and not many bear around although they are arond and have seen in the yard . I have read that it could be a random pass by but the gun is loaded and next to the door should our friend wants to take a trip to heaven .

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I'd put up an electric fence.

I have lots of sheep and lambs, and often see bear tracks just outside the fence, but none have ever gotten in the pastures

These are about 8" long and 6" wide:

 

[dsqard]

I am no expert but bear was the first thing that came to my mind as well looking at that hardware cloth just folded up and at how high the "tear" in the cloth started in the second picture. Please be very careful. Once they know where to find an easy meal they will be back. If you have a way to get the chickens inside until you have hot wire up please do it. If you have any other pets, please make sure they are also inside at night. So sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[woodyd]

Looks like the deer are lucky this weekend . I'll be after the bear .
Woody

 

[caspernc]

Just read another post on this topic. They recomended a 10 to 13 jewel box and use barbed wire so if it trys to go through the barb will dig through the hair and hit skin. Another thing they did was to put meat on the fence to train the bear the fence is hot. Sounds good to me. Good luck.

 

[woodmort]

I'd have a recommendation when you repair--put the hardware cloth on the outside of the opening overlapping the wall and then nail frame around it. It is easier to push it in if all that is holding it is the staples--if they have to push against the frame of the building it may slow them down. Of course a bear is strong enough to take things out either way but if it takes more effort they may give up. Even a coon can pop off staples but forcing them in.

 

[clinkski]

Yes, the hardware cloth was screwed with washers to the frame and then covered by the siding. The bear ripped it out towards the outside and didn't push it in. My husband will start repairs tomorrow.

 

[beachchickie]

Electric fence and wet the ground really well around the coop. It may give the bear enough of a jolt to deter it. Hopefully he is not super hungry. I think they eat alot b/f hibernation and after.