Lost 9 in 8 days (2 then 7)

[McChooky]

From what the neighbor was informed, bobcats must be actively pursuing or killing livestock or poultry before action can be taken. This is different from coyotes and foxes.


I apologize for not responding to this earlier. One of my neighbors has given up all their poultry (we took them in) because they could not make their area safe enough from these predators. Another neighbor and I have fortified our areas, but in doing so we had to significantly reduce the space our poultry has access to. I cannot confirm or deny, but several predators may have been “rehomed to Jesus” or simply moved on permanently, as we are no longer seeing those on our cameras. We still have problem children on cameras.


In my case, it has cost about $1,500 to make the birds more secure during the day, but that also reduced their total area to one-fifth of what it was. In the bigger picture, it is a significant financial loss, but I have a responsibility to keep them safe to the best of my ability, and I’ll figure it out.

I hope you can build your flock back up and don't have anymore problems with bobcats. DNR told me one strand deters most bobcats but whether its true or not I can't say.They can jump a fence but prefer to climb one is why one strand up on top usually works.Sorry for your loss!

 

[GTR]

DNR told me one strand deters most bobcats but whether its true or not I can't say.

I’ve reduced the poultry’s range to about 1.5 acres, enclosed with electric net fencing. Since putting the net up, I have had no problems with foxes, coyotes, or bobcats. I also believe the local fox and coyote numbers have dropped, and one night I am fairly sure I heard a bobcat scream after testing the fence. Every other animal around here stays at least twenty feet back, except the Nigerian milk goats. They can get within millimeters of the wire and somehow sense whether it is live, even with their own fence powered by a separate energizer.


The new challenge is a Ferruginous Hawk, a bird I did not realize lived in this area. It has already killed three of my birds and carried off one more, all around two months old. Because hawks are protected, I am experimenting with deterrents. I also have a livestock guardian pup now living in the paddock. It will take time before he is effective, but at least it is progress.


If the predator losses continue, I have an unorthodox plan I intend to put in place next spring.


What this has taught me, beyond the need for stronger poultry husbandry skills, is that predators always seem to take the best birds first.