Help ! Creeped out by talk of predators...Is my run too big ?

[JoeOxfordCT]

Well I went to the Waterbury Home Depot and Don you're right....they're worse than the Derby & Bridgeport Home Depot.....

Well it's 1:30 already so I've decided to make an executive decision and do nothing for today.....I am going to take down the deer fencing I started to install yesterday and then with what time I have left I'm going to working on finishing painting the chicken coop........

Ideally I'd like to keep the pen the size it is....I taped it out this morning and it's actually closer to 130' not 150'........the Depot has vinyl wrapped 5' fencing with 2"x"3 holes fairly reasonably priced...I think $40 for a 50' roll. Perhaps I'll just some chicken wire behind the vinyl fencing......

Here are some pics so you can at least see where I'm at to this point.....

http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/...=2007-10-014004.jpg&slideshow=true&interval=3

I certainly appreciate everyone's replies......I've learned alot just since joining last night !!

 

[allen wranch]

Beautiful coop and area !!!!

 

[MissPrissy]

really nice!

 

[ivan3]

JoeOxfordCT wrote: I already lost one bird last week when they were free ranging in my yard....I have no idea what got it.....

Fencing can only do so much. A couple of live traps for preemptive removal of chicken eating vermin reduces the overall frequency of fatal encounters.

Check these folks out for specialty fencing, they are in your neck of the woods and might have a local distributor.

http://www.academyfence.com/vinylcoatedcolorpvcweldedwire.asp

We use 6' 1"x2" welded wire and just put down discarded sections of chicken wire covered by large rocks around base of fencing (has been tested by 70+ Lb. black lab, foxes. Not 100% effective against `daytime' `possum - but most free meal types end up in the live traps).

If you can't cover the run, put in some shrubs/covered areas where they can hide out. That should help with the hawks.

As far as predator behavior: Low human population: The more predictable the predator behavior, e.g., `coons only hunt at night', etc. The more concentrated the population the more `unpredictable' the behavior.

Sounds like you've been putting a lot of thought and effort into the project. Nice to have you on board.​

 

[KrisRose]

Joe- frustrated???

Sorry, could'nt help myself since I've been in the same boat!
Ivan has a good idea about using 1" by 2". I believe it's at home depot for $60 for 4' x 100' but not sure if ours have 6'.
Don't reduce the size of your run-my biggest mistake is not making mine big enough.
Nice coop.

 

[JoeOxfordCT]

Hi Kris !

I haven't seen any 1"x2" at any Home Depots near us.....4'x100' for $60 is downright reasonable ! I wonder if I could order it from them.....

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[skeeter9]

Hi, Joe,

Just wanted to add my 2 cents - My run is fenced with chicken wire covered with 2x3 welded wire up about 4 ft. It is secured with fencing u-nails every 8 incehs or so. It has withstood attacks by a pack of wild dogs (who got into my neighbor's coop and killed all of her chickens), possums, coyotes, and raccoons. Each time they try to get in, you can see where they have pulled at the fence, tried to dig, etc. , but each time the fence has held.

Welcome to BYC,

Lori

 

[JoeOxfordCT]

Lori,

Do you have your chicken wire either buried or partially run flat on the ground and staked in ???

If I can't order 1x2 wire then I will probably do what you've done as both those kinds of fencing are at our local Depot....except I would get 60" 2x3 wire.....

Sounds like you live in a rough neighborhood.....

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[allen wranch]

Another FYI.

If you have an air compressor or can borrow one, get an air stapler. You would not believe the time it saves, and the efficiency. Harbor Freight has them in all price ranges. We have one of the cheaper ones, and it is worth its weight in gold !

 

[JoeOxfordCT]

Hadn't thought of that....I'm an ex-carpenter and am familiar with air tools but we just had framing and finish nailers.....

I am actually very comfortable with my screw and washer method....it's very easy to undo them if I need to re-adjust or tighten the fencing.....

Thanks for the advice though !

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