just thinking...Winter Predators ?

[NCchickenlady]

I set up my chickens in the spring so I have a question.. What winter predators do we worry about? I live in Raleigh NC and so far the only issue I've had are Hawks..
Thanks
Beth
NC

 

[TaLani]

Another forum member has a thread going re a middle of the night predator (owl) incident she just had & this is what I wrote to her. "I don't know about the rest of you folks, but we have a LOT of potential predators-->owls, foxes, coons, possums, bears, stray dogs, just to name a few. I HAVE to keep my chickens in an enclosed run during the day and lock them up in a coop at night, so free range is not an option for me unfortunately. But, at least they're safe." Mind you, I live in a pretty rural area & not a big city like Raleigh, so we probably have more predators out my way than u do. But, yes, winter predators can be just as bad or even worse IMO since food is more scarce for the predators in the winter time.

 

[Katy]

I think winter is even more prone to predators attacking. It's a harder season for them and if they can find an easy meal, they're going to take advantage of it.

 

[NCchickenlady]

I thought some would be asleep for the winter and maybe we would be a little safer but I will be my eyes open for sure. Mine are no longer free range after the hawk took one so mine are closed in a run and the coop area has a locked door as well as the coop itself..
Chicken lock down here for sure!