Lights and predators?

[BigBlock]

My yard where I plan to keep my ducks is fully fenced, but we still get the occassional racoon/possum/skunk/etc snooping around. I want to build the duck pen in a dark corner of the yard. I'm wondering if installing some kind of motion light in the area would help keep predators away? Or, for that matter, is lighting up the ducks a bad idea, sort of putting them on display? Also, do the ducks mind if they have a light on them all night? They don't seem to care about the heat lamp now...

 

[Kevin565]

The only thing I can think a light would disturb would be a owl. The rest won't likely be bothered by it and will continue towards. Many people have lights on year round to help with laying

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Not sure if they have helped, but we do have motion lights around. However our 200lb great Pyrenees boy keeps predators away.

 

[Amiga]

We have solar powered rope lights, LED, and they cast some soft light over the pen area. The reasons for the lights are that my ducks have always been afraid of the dark ( Trust me on this. ) I also appreciate having some light so that I can look out from the window and see what is going on, or go out to check on things (and do whatever I forgot to do before sundown, like bring in my eyeglasses . . . sigh).

But it does not seem to keep predators away. We have raccoons as well as skunks and possums cruising through regularly.

 

[veronicasmom]

They also sell motion sensor sprinklers http://www.havahart.com/store/electronic-repellents/5266b I don't know if they work, but I agree that the lights won't help keep predators away. Maybe these will. I would still recommend predator proofing the area for night time. It is the only sure way to be safe.