Keeping away predators

[Cassandragrenr]

Does it work to use a radio to keep away predators like weasels and foxes? My grandma used to do it and it seemed to work. However, I'm unsure if I should use that or not. Would it bother the birds? My ducks, geese and chickens free-range, and of course, I'm worried about them getting snatched by a fox or 2.


If not please give other tips on how to keep predators away!!

 

[Geena]

I don't think radios and lights and such actually work very well, if at all. They might for awhile until the wildlife get used to them, and then all bets are off. The only two things I know of that can reliably repel predators from coming onto your property are trained dogs and electric fence.
Are you birds locked up at night or are they totally free range?

 

[Cassandragrenr]

I don't think radios and lights and such actually work very well, if at all. They might for awhile until the wildlife get used to them, and then all bets are off. The only two things I know of that can reliably repel predators from coming onto your property are trained dogs and electric fence.
Are you birds locked up at night or are they totally free range?

They're locked up at night! My grandmother used to put a radio in her chickens coop, and it keept predators away (until it broke), atleast the weasels, nothing else got into the coop except for them

 

[Geena]

That's good, just make sure your coop is solid and tight and you won't have anything to worry about at night.

 

[ChickensInNM]

That's good, just make sure your coop is solid and tight and you won't have anything to worry about.

farveIvrI

Ive had my chickens about 2 weeks. So far, I've had a coyote, 2 tweakers (they were together), and this morning, I have no idea what or who it was, but all the outside dogs were having a fit, and the rooster and hen were so upset, it took an hour before they came to the outside run, which is covered. Feathers all over one section of the outside run, which has a roof. Every morning, I do a complete inspection of the coop, and no places where anything big tried to come in. So who knows. I'm in New Mexico. Can a larger bull snake eat a chicken?

 

[Geena]

Yes, a larger snake can easily kill and possibly eat a chicken depending on the size. It sounds like a predator, animal or human, may have been lurking around your coop. The feathers might just be from the chickens bouncing around, as they tend to do when something scares them. A game cam or two would be helpful to see what or who is bothering your chickens. I would call the police if those tweakers come around again, be safe.

 

[ChickensInNM]

Yes, a larger snake can easily kill and possibly eat a chicken depending on the size. It sounds like a predator, animal or human, may have been lurking around your coop. The feathers might just be from the chickens bouncing around, as they tend to do when something scares them. A game cam or two would be helpful to see what or who is bothering your chickens. I would call the police if those tweakers come around again, be safe.

Thanks. My landlord trespassed those tweakers, and the police know them. Landlord gave me some materials, so setting up a smaller coop in my yard. Be nice if I could train them to walk on a harness and leash, silly as that sounds, but I'll probably end up making them their own covered small yard attached to the new coop. Spent an hour this morning watching roosters killing snakes on YouTube. I just think it's odd, that rooster was in a pen by himself for 2 weeks, no problems. Then I get a couple hens, and I keep having predators. Roosters must scare most predators. I never heard of a chicken thief brave (or stupid) enough to try to manhandle a rooster. He's a huge Rhode Island Red.

 

[Charlenesmom]

Does it work to use a radio to keep away predators like weasels and foxes? My grandma used to do it and it seemed to work. However, I'm unsure if I should use that or not. Would it bother the birds? My ducks, geese and chickens free-range, and of course, I'm worried about them getting snatched by a fox or 2.


If not please give other tips on how to keep predators away!!

I have had a small radio playing inside my chicken coop/run, which is all one roofed building, for a year+ and it has successfully kept the resident fox, and bears out of my fenced in property. The chickens seem to like it and have even learned to line dance They are only allowed to free range when I am out in the yard.