Is anyone NOT bothered by predators?

[FutureChickenMan]

I don't understand why people blame the preditors for killing they prey anyway. That is their job, that's what they do. I didn't get upset when our two cats got killed and eaten by "something" nor will I be upset if I lose a chicken to a preditor. It's our job to protect our flock from the preditors. If the preditor scores a kill, it's not his/her fault, it's ours for not protecting our flock.

Preditors are just doing what all of us are trying to do, survive and feed their family. You can't fault them for that. Circle of life ya know.

 

[mdbucks]

Quote:
didnt think anyone was blaming the preditors, but like you say dont get upset when preditors get caught by flock owners either its a give and take thing. You take my bird and I will take the preditors life.

 

[picklespickles]

i think that people can know it's the cirlce of life and still be upset when something they protect and take care of everyday dies. it's called normal human emotion.

 

[nccountrygirl]

Quote:
didnt think anyone was blaming the preditors, but like you say dont get upset when preditors get caught by flock owners either its a give and take thing. You take my bird and I will take the preditors life.

And that is the circle of life!

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

I've only lost one, and it was pretty much my own fault. I didn't do a head count at bedtime, and didn't realize one was missing. I found him dead the next morning. Lesson learned.

I do free-range, but everyone gets locked up snug at night. This time of year they don't really come out of their run at all (hate the snow) so they aren't really free-ranging much right now. Their run is completely covered, hardwire cloth up 4 feet, chicken wire the last 3 feet, and chicken wire over the top.

I make dh periodically 'mark' the perimeter.. LOL! Between him and the dogs (who are actually mostly tied out front, but do make noise) I haven't seen ANY tracks except for one lone rabbit. I don't see coyote, fox, raccoon, or skunk.. nothing. We are surrounded by trees and live in a very wooded area.

Not sure where the preds are to be honest..I find it almost spooky that their aren't any here AT ALL. I'm sure my turn will eventually come.

Meghan

 

[dragonlili]

I freerange late in the day. I see a lot of hawks, but they are usually gone after2 pm. My actual coop is like Ft. Knox. My tractor is penetrable by diggers and my duck pen is not very secure. I don't see any small predators around, other than moles, which I credit to my dog, who is contained.

Our poultry barn has a concrete floor and 2x4 framing (4x4 for corners). I have double chicken wire on the main outside wall, and the original hardware cloth.

 

[FutureChickenMan]

Quote:
didnt think anyone was blaming the preditors, but like you say dont get upset when preditors get caught by flock owners either its a give and take thing. You take my bird and I will take the preditors life.

No arguement there. If I had seen what took our cats I'd have shot it.

 

[silkiechicken]

Luckily the only predators here are coons and hawks. I do lose 2-3 a year to preds though. They are always the young ones that have not learned to hide when warning calls are made, or are just not pred smart yet.

 

[arlee453]

So far, so good.

I have a 20 x 80 approx fenced in area for them to run around in. The fence is 4' chain link and I've run PVC pipes and deer netting over the top to keep the chickens in.

They have dogs on one side of the fence and I do lock them up at night in their coop.

I know there are possums and coons in the woods around here, as well as the occasional stray dog, but this has worked so far for us...

 

[lurky]

"knock on wood" I have not had any problem. I know we have always has hawks around here, but we have never had them as a threat so far. We have both covered and uncovered areas for ours. Our yard is fenced in so we dont have to worry about much getting in. Not to say it cant happen, but our dogs would probably be happy to greet anything that tries. I must add that out great poultry safe environment will soon be for sale if anyone is thinking of buying a home in This area