Lighthouse Keeper Starting out with Chickens! Maybe!

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A Matter of Light said:
That was a concern of mine while looking at them online. I am pretty handy at woodwork, so I think I would go the plans route. And yes, we can get some challenging winds.... not to mention helicopter backwash! I will try the forum for coop plans.

Thanks!
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I don't remember if anyone has mentioned this or not, but the Coop Articles are a good place to go for detailed plans and visuals.
 
A Matter of Light said:
I was thinking of this route, but I think the weather challenges make that a difficult option. Not sure any kit would hold up to the wind and weather. I think I will lurk a bit over at the coop plans thread.
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Sure it would! You would want to add rafter ties and maybe anchor the shed to the ground but a kit would be an excellent start to your new coop.
 
A Matter of Light said:
The predators to be concerned with are Bald Eagles and Otters. I know I will need to reinforce the fencing, as the Otters can easily get through ordinary chicken wire. Also, although the island is perfect for free-range, I mean... where would they go!... they wouldn't last long with the eagles around. So... a closed run is important.
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I was far more worried about the eagles than I needed to be, ours are extremely lazy, and although they can easily take the baby goats for a short flight, and frequently plague the lambs, the chickens don’t seem to be worth the effort. Granted your eagles probably have far less feeding options available. Hawks and Owls have been my biggest challenges.

Otters however, remind me of raccoons, but on steroids! I’m lucky that I’m far enough in from the water that they don’t bother me, though other keepers here have suffered some devastating losses to them. If you have no small weasels then you could easily do a chain link or horse fencing (2x4 no climb) run and as long as they get secured in a good overnight shelter you should be fine. Hardware cloth is my best friend when it comes to raccoons, but Otters are significantly stronger.

Chickens are awesome, well worth the efforts, and you won’t regret them. One of my best choices in a long time.
 
Kris5902 said:
I was far more worried about the eagles than I needed to be, ours are extremely lazy, and although they can easily take the baby goats for a short flight, and frequently plague the lambs, the chickens don’t seem to be worth the effort. Granted your eagles probably have far less feeding options available.
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We have bald eagles here who never bothered anyone's chickens until last June, then they took out 3 of my hens, 1 hen and 2 ducks from my neighbor, and a few from another. In fact, one swooped down and stole a chicken from a neighbor while he was standing not 10' away. They don't seem interested until something happens in the food supply and they suddenly are very interested.
 
A Matter of Light said:
The predators to be concerned with are Bald Eagles and Otters. I know I will need to reinforce the fencing, as the Otters can easily get through ordinary chicken wire. Also, although the island is perfect for free-range, I mean... where would they go!... they wouldn't last long with the eagles around. So... a closed run is important.
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Use 1/2" hardware cloth instead of chicken wire.
 
ValerieJ said:
We have bald eagles here who never bothered anyone's chickens until last June, then they took out 3 of my hens, 1 hen and 2 ducks from my neighbor, and a few from another. In fact, one swooped down and stole a chicken from a neighbor while he was standing not 10' away. They don't seem interested until something happens in the food supply and they suddenly are very interested.
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They do keep the local duck population in check and ocassionally get a goose, but mostly here they are scavengers. Deer and goat carcasses, and defenseless baby lambs and goats when the ewe has multiples and is busy with baby #2 or 3. They love Fridays and Tuesday/Wednesday’s here during the slaughter season. It’s like a buffet.
 

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