Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[fowlman01]

If you go to a real hardware store or a farm supply you can find very robust T posts. A raccoon can't get through my 2 x 4 livestock fencing and they have tried many times. They can certainly get their very effective hands through it to snag a bird, but they can't rip it or squeeze through it. I have the outside covered in hardware wire up about 4 feet to prevent the hands from grabbing a bird.

Walt

 

[finnfur]

If you go to a real hardware store or a farm supply you can find very robust T posts. A raccoon can't get through my 2 x 4 livestock fencing and they have tried many times. They can certainly get their very effective hands through it to snag a bird, but they can't rip it or squeeze through it. I have the outside covered in hardware wire up about 4 feet to prevent the hands from grabbing a bird.

Walt

Wow Walt ! 4 feet of hardware cloth - I'm glad our coons don't have arms that long LOL - but yes we do cover the bottom about 18" - usually cut a 36" roll in half .

 

[fowlman01]

Wow Walt ! 4 feet of hardware cloth - I'm glad our coons don't have arms that long LOL - but yes we do cover the bottom about 18" - usually cut a 36" roll in half .

I don't want them grabbing an end. If they can get any kind of a hold on any of this wire they can peel it off. I have 45 lb coons here and I have seen what they can do.

Walt

 

[crazyhen]

That is smart Walt. I too have hugh racoons.
Also bobcats, bear, and possums add also skunks. I like the hardware cloth to be 4 ft. up the sides and two ft. buried on the outside of my fence too. I have my top of the run covered as well. So far no loses.

 

[finnfur]

I don't want them grabbing an end. If they can get any kind of a hold on any of this wire they can peel it off. I have 45 lb coons here and I have seen what they can do.

Walt

What you feeding them critters? 45 pounds is a monster Boar coon- we put the wire on inside with hog shoats - that seems to help prevent pull down -
It would be rare to live long enough to get 45 Lbs here - we get the young ones that the Sow forces out of the surrounding territory
but when they get in our fruit trees they take the trip. Possums also .
Good luck with them critters

 

[fowlman01]

I get young ones and old ones and everything in between.
Here is one of the bigger ones that was killing one goose a night.
They are extremely strong and very, very smart. They seldom go int0 a trap. I have to have the dogs run them up a tree or just keep everything secure.

Walt

 

[gjensen]

I get young ones and old ones and everything in between.
Here is one of the bigger ones that was killing one goose a night.
They are extremely strong and very, very smart. They seldom go int0 a trap. I have to have the dogs run them up a tree or just keep everything secure.

Walt

That is a healthy raccoon. That is a good looking example. He is solid.

It is easy to underestimate how powerful they are for their size. Not to mention that they are pretty sharp.

 

[chickadoodles]

Quote: He does look as big as my little terrier puppy. I would hate for him to come on my place he would put up a good fight with my dogs!

 

[Lacy Blues]

Man! That's one BIG coon! 45 pounds is about the size of a medium sized dog I used to have. Easily up to my knee and I'm not tall but that's still a really big coon! I don't think I've ever seen legs that long on one.

 

[fowlman01]

This particular coon is still loose, but they know when you are after them so he hasn't been here for over a month. I think it is him that ripped one of those fancy coops apart about an 8th mile from here. He just ripped the door off and when she went outside the coon had a big English Orp in a bear hug while standing on it's back legs like a bear would do. I am going to be very happy when I get this guy. I keep culls out where they can eat them to let me know if one is around. Nothing wants to eat my ugly Silkie. They just walk right by him sitting on my plastic chair. Raccoons are the very best poultry judges.

Walt