How to prevent predators

[Gunhill32]

hey y’all, I have 6 11 week old Pekin ducks I moved outside about a month ago. Attached is the pictures of their coop. They free range about 9 hours a day in my yard, and my pit bull gets the rest ( she doesn’t bother with their coop even when they are being fussy. I dug down about a foot all the way around it and placed hardware cloth and rocks before burying it, and I have predator proof latches on it. However I have a surprising number of red foxes in the woods behind my property. Is there any way to make them more Protected? They seem happy and I would definately rather they stay safe. I already shot one raccoon I caught trying to get in without a reservation for a duck dinner!

 

[Trish1974]

If you could rig up a few strands of electric fence around the coop, or the perimeter you want them to free range in, that would help.

 

[Gunhill32]

If you could rig up a few strands of electric fence around the coop, or the perimeter you want them to free range in, that would help.

I have 5 foot high black chain link fence all the way around my 1 acre back yard. So I guess it’s not truly free ranging, but 1 Acre for 6 ducks seems like enough lol. should I still put up electric fence outside of that? We have a ton of red foxes this year. I have trail cam set up watching the coop for predators, and so far I only have a lot of ugly pictures of myself and my dog lmao

 

[Trish1974]

should I still put up electric fence outside of that?

I would. Both foxes and coyotes could jump that fence, and raccoons and possums can climb it. Here's a good article on electric fencing if you need help: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

 

[EggWalrus]

I have 5 foot high black chain link fence all the way around my 1 acre back yard. So I guess it’s not truly free ranging, but 1 Acre for 6 ducks seems like enough lol. should I still put up electric fence outside of that? We have a ton of red foxes this year. I have trail cam set up watching the coop for predators, and so far I only have a lot of ugly pictures of myself and my dog lmao

Most colored chainlink is vinyl/plastic coated, which means it wouldn't make a ground. I would put up a 2 or 3 wire electric fence just outside the chainlink. If you have galvanized chainlink, you can put a single hot wire across the top. The chain is a ground and a good ground at that. Anything climbing on it that touches the top hot wire would get one heck of a good shock!
If you go electric, remember a bigger charger is better. Anything less than 15 mile box will short out with just a few weeds growing on it, plus, it just tickles predators larger than a sqirrel or cat. You want your fence to knock them into the dirt and make them remember it!

 

[Soy Milano]

Here is a good infographic which will tell you everything you need to know about predator proofing - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/tips-for-protecting-poultry-from-predators

 

[Folly's place]

I agree about using electric fencing, either multiple strands of rope or wire, or electrified poultry netting. Howard E has good information here, and Premier1supplies.com has everything, including the poultry netting.
Mary

 

[cmom]

I have concrete under my gates due to a fox, electric wires around my coops and pens, and in some places I dug a trench along the fence and buried wire a foot down and hog wired it to the bottom of the fence and heavy duty netting covering all of the pens. All was due to kills from predators in the past. If you free range you are also at risk. I had a coyote once jump over a 5' fence and get into one the pens and kill some birds. Unfortunately I had the wrong ammo in my shotgun to kill it but I'm pretty sure I hit it. A few months ago a fox snuck in and grabbed my favorite hen. I still beat myself up for not putting her in her pen while I was otherwise occupied. I did catch this fox but have seen others since. Here we have mostly coyotes.