Locking chickens in coop for the night, a neccessity if they have a run?

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Dogs horses goats and neighbors with guns

 

[KDK1]

I don't live around bears so I have no idea how they climb....But what about a bigger version of what we call a coyote roller? You can do a homemade version like this one (scroll down a bit to where it says "rolling pin version"): http://www.huskycamp.com/security Basically you could string a thin PVC pipe through a wire, put a big fat piece of PVC over the thin PVC so that the fat pipe rolls over the think pipe like a rolling pin. This is mounted horizontally atop the run. The idea is that as the bear puts his paws on the top of the run (or fence) he can't get a grip as it rolls and he spills over backwards. Perhaps bears climb differently than coyotes and this won't work at all. But I thought I'd mention it as an idea.

By the way, so sorry about your bird! Good luck keeping them safe. I have lost a lot of sleep lately as my cats have disappeared one by one at night (four in just a few weeks now) so I know how you are feeling!

Keep us posted.

That's a great idea for smaller critters. If she upgraded to 2" DWV for the inner and 4" for the outer. it should work for larger pests too..DWV= Drain, waste, vent... a lot cheaper than schd. 40.

 

[MrsRodgers]

That's absolutely a great idea. I think it would work great for certain kind of fences. And I could do it, on the top part of the fence...unfortunately, my fence posts are trees! Bears love trees....I have come to the conclusion that my particular area is not conducive to having chickens. Trees, National Forest, rocky ground....I am doomed. But I am not giving up! I am building a new enclosure, as we speak, that will keep every predator except for a bear out..and I am still working on that electric fence thing. My dad (who knows about pretty much everything ) says that all I have to do is string the fence and get a charger..the bear is the ground. He said that for the very short distance of fence I have, I don't have to worry about the grounding. He stated that grounding is necessary for a very loooong fence.

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Well in order for the fence to work it has to be grounded. the bear would complete the circuit thus getting the shock. If you bury one rod and run additional grounded wires with (not touching) the hot wires you would insure a good shock. With out the charger grounded tho youll damage the unit and will not be charging the wire.

 

[MrsRodgers]

I am sure you are correct. There has to be at least one ground. I am gonna do this, even if I have to bury a ground vertically.

No bear as of yet.....

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Bears climb very well right out if the box. The fence really doesn't have to be grounded to work...it needs to be grounded to prevent electrocution and fire...so of course a company will bypass a particular unusual situation...without a doubt.

 

[chickenboy107]

it would be a good idea because coyotes could get in the run but not the coop

 

[MrsRodgers]

I am busily building the girls a 12 by 10 by 6 fenced panel addition to the coop. It will keep out pretty much everything but the bear..and the electric fence will take care of him..I hope!

 

[MrsRodgers]

Hey all! Just thought I'd add a couple of pics..we haven't seen the bear since we scared him..but he has been busy up the road at the lodge, where they have a dumpster. In the picture with the two bears, he is the one eating the trash. He weighs about 350. The big one in the front weighs about 600. The little guy..is just cute.

 

[MarineCorpFarmr]

Think they'd both look cuter as non-chicken-eating rugs.... just sayin. Good they leaving you alone tho