I'm new here

[buk-buk-bakaw]

I like chickens and I might be asking a lot of questions about them because I live on a farm and there is every predator you could think of. I got coons, skunks, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions (we've seen tracks, not near our house yet) and sadly a bloodthirsty weasel who just killed a good Silver Laced Wyandotte. What's the best way to prevent predators from coming. I have a rooster in training (rhode island red rooster chick) who will hopefully be a future protector. I have loud, aggressive, and annoying african geese. They are defending the chickens from the weasel. Is there anything else I can do to protect them. We are attempting to sneak out to the barn every night and shoot the coon, but no success yet. We have killed a baby fox. My neighbor shot a skunk.

 

[LaceyMae]

Hello and welcome to BYC! The best way to keep your chickens safe it to build a predator proof pen. That is easier said than done, but it is possible. I would invest in some live traps large enough for the coons and keep a gun handy! Good luck to you and we're glad you joined us.

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas and

! Great to have you aboard! Sorry to hear about your predator woes. There are some options: trapping, shooting, guard animals, electric fences, a device called 'nite eyes,' etc. One of the best things is probably just restricting the range of your chickens and a lot of vigilance. You can also post in the link below for more opinions. Good luck to you!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/13/predators-and-pests

 

[drumstick diva]

the electrified fence is good. You can hope a rooster will sound a warning call but, bravery aside a rooster is no match for coyotes, etc. A livestock guardian dog or two, would probably keep your critters away but that doesn't happen over night. A fort knox run would be a great asset, to me that is 1/2 inch hardware cloth, not chicken wire, roofed either with wire to keep hawks away or with solid panels to keep out rain and snow or raccoons, etc. A few strands of the electric wire around the perimeter of the fencing ad two or three height levels.

 

[marvun22]

I have predator problems too. Get some excellent marksmen and shoot every predator you got. No mercy. I also have lots of predator problems. If you see a mountain lion, I would just stay away.

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[liz9910]

Welcome to BYC! Wow that's a crazy amount of predators!!!

 

[buk-buk-bakaw]

These are some great ideas but the electric fence won't work because we have some very curious cats. We have tried traps but our very curious cats always get caught in them. Do you have any ideas for bait that our predators would like but our cats would leave alone? I can't have anything too expensive because I am on a low budget.

 

[redsoxs]

These are some great ideas but the electric fence won't work because we have some very curious cats. We have tried traps but our very curious cats always get caught in them. Do you have any ideas for bait that our predators would like but our cats would leave alone? I can't have anything too expensive because I am on a low budget.

Raccoons will go after corn in a trap. And in terms of the electric fence it is just a deterrent - even for the cats...they will get zapped but will likely avoid it after that.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!