I need some advice! Losing birds quickly!

[amanda83]

There is some animal coming into our barn overnight! We have lost 26 chickens 8 ducks and even 5 guinea fowl in the last 3 weeks! A friend told us that windchimes would make the animal nervous and scare it off. Does anyone know if this is effective or have any advice? Our barn is open and our critters run free with the exception of the goats, but the attacks have only happened in the barn. The six chickens we have left now roost outside trying to be safe. I have even waited outside to try to get rid of whatever this is, but never showed. I am really confused as to what would corner the birds and kill them then drag them out of the barn to eat them.

 

[ChooksChick]

You HAVE to give these poor defenseless animals a place that they won't be subject to predators breaking in- that's the only way. A fox, coyote, or even raccoons could be doing this, and they won't stop until the last bird is gone. They'll come back when you get more. The only reason it's all happening at once is because they discovered where to get a free lunch now.

Read up about safe coops here: http://www.examiner.com/x-9873-Kansas-City-Urban-Chickens-Examiner~y2010m2d8-Urban-Chickens-101-10-important-features-in-a-chicken-coop

http://www.examiner.com/x-9873-Kansas-City-Urban-Chickens-Examiner~y2009m9d26-Urban-Chickens-101-How-to-avoid-a-free-chicken-dinner-for-neighborhood-predators

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Renee's right...they've discovered a free lunch buffet and unless you make a secure place for them at night you'll end up with no birds at all.

 

[amanda83]

we have had animals free ranging for over ten years and have not had a problem like this. We have ruled out the smaller predators just because of the height they roost at. There are four farms within five miles that have free ranging birds and never had problems either until lately.

 

[turtlebird]

Have you set out a live trap? Sounds like you have a persistant free-loading predator. Good luck with the remaining critters.

 

[Katy]

Quote:
Whether you've had a predator problem in the past or not, you do now and windchimes aren't going to do anything to keep them away.

 

[ChooksChick]

Somehow they've either avoided you because you've had a dog or animal that deterred the predation or there's perhaps been a jump in the numbers in the predator population. Raccoons can get at them at any height and they will! A friend recently had a fox jump a 6' fence right in front of her in the daytime to attempt to finish the attack it had started the night before.

There is no solution aside from building them a coop in which they can sleep at night that will work for any length of time. You can still free range all you want, but give them a place for sleeping.

I wish I could tell you this will work itself out, but it won't. Your neighbors should do the same, because this will happen to them, too- it's just how nature works. You can deter and even have outside dogs to protect, but nothing is ever truly guaranteed. I built my coop as if I had bears to protect against, and while I've watched my neighbors suffer terrible losses, mine have been safe. It's the only way I can sleep well.

 

[bobbi-j]

An owl will fly into your barn and take your birds.

 

[magsrags]

oh good grief get to work better protecting those babies.:<(( I'de be byside myself after that loss...........and have felt that pain so know what I speak of.

 

[greathorse]

I am not one to get all beside myself if a hawk picks one off during the day while the birds are out, it happens. It has happened a couple of times in several years. But if you have birds roosting in a barn where a raccoon or anything can get to them while they roost you might as well ring a dinner bell at about dusk.

Get those birds some protection, it isnt too hard to figure out what it takes. If allowing them constant outdoor access is important you will need to do something until you can get a good dog. You have a smorgasbord at the present time.

Geeze you will get picked clean from now till kingdom come.