keeping predators away?

[ctjim]

i just got 8 pullets and was wondering what i can do to try to keep the predators away. my coop is really predator proof kinda like a prision on the outside, but a castle on the inside. i was looking to put something around my yard to try to keep the preds out. my cat almost got eaten on the back deck by a bobcat, which wasn't really scared of people until i chased it and threw rocks at him, haven't seen it since. i also see a skunk everyonce in awhile and a possum too. we hear coyotes all the time and had 1 come through a few times but they're very skittish of people. people have said and i also do this to protect my garden from the deer, to wear some old t shirts when working to get your sent on them and hang them on sticks around the area as most animals will stay away from human sent. seems to work on the deer. any thoughts would be great. thanks jim

 

[foxtrapper]

Generically, a powerfull electric fence is your most effective predator deterrant.

 

[justusnak]

Well, as wierd as this sounds....try urinateing around the perimiters of your yard. By son and grandson do this every time they come out here...and I have to say....2 years here, not one predator.

 

[Chelly]

My husband is gonna LOVE me!

 

[Gracefulspice]

I have heard too that alot of preditors will stay away from dogs. If you don't have dogs you can go to a local groomers shop and ask for the smelliest dog hair they got. Myself being a pet groomer the supply is never ending. And I do bring some home now and again and place on the ground in wide spread areas around the property. I haven't had any problems yet, but we don't have coyete or bobcats here yet either. But the wild birds do seem to like to take some for their nests.
Incase anyone has no such luck with local groomers, let me know I'd be happy to stuff a gallon zip lock or 2 or 6 and mail it to ya. No Charge except for the postage.

 

[beameuplord]

I have heard of urinating and human hair to keep predators away. I also had to fortify my coop/rabbit lot with a strip of wire buried around the lot and large boulders on top of that. I bought a book that suggested cayenne pepper for most small predators. Can be mixed in water or sprinkled dry. This was especially suggested for small animals, (skunks, coons etc.) A good mixture for many varmints was a spray that had garlic powder, cayenne, texas pete.

I started looking for remedies when a coyote came through our territory and tore up one of my sturdiest cages and killed one of my bunnies.

I saw a commercial "Critter ridder", the other week at the Tractor supply. It had blood meal in it. For good measure I would mix a liquid that contained all of these ingredients in it. You are bound to keep something away. LOL
TJ

 

[foxtrapper]

Urine doesn't work. In fact, it's used as a lure normally when predator trapping.

Urine *may* work on some prey animals. In those cases, if they wiff something that can kill them, and it seems like an immediate threat, they may take off. But a hunting animal just takes note of the scent, and keeps on hunting.

In fact, urine scents can bring the predators in. If it smells interesting, they come in to sniff it, and then check out the area.

 

[mainely-chick]

Does your Coop have electricity??
If so, an old-time farmer told me to put a
small radio in the coop with a timer
to go on at night. Most predators hear
human voices and flee. Have found some tracks
around coop but no attempts to get in.
Good luck