Need some emotional support for putting my birds back outside :(

[JedJackson]

We get them here, too, but only once in a while. I can't imagine having to deal with bears all the time, but if I did have to, I'd take exactly the steps that CoturnixComplex has taken.

 

[CoturnixComplex]

Wow! Where do you live? I’m in the Bay Area (Northern California) and our most formidable predators are mountain lions. Bears, however, would be a whole new ball game for us.

I'm from right next to you But I live in the high Sierra Nevadas now.

They are indeed a different beast. None of the shyness of cats. I miss it. Also, it's not like they're our only predator - we *also* have cougars, and coyotes, and raccoons, and possums, and weasels of every variety, and mice and rats, etc. >:l

P.S. I originally posted it as an idea in the meat bird forum earlier today, but based on interest I think I'll be trying to help facilitate a general northern CA farm goods swap. I actually travel to the bay at least once a month and could plan a few stops to help people (and myself) with greater self sufficiency and variety. If you raise chickens for meat or eggs and have any interest you should check it out!

 

[CoturnixComplex]

I would so so love to see some pics or videos of what you have described - as an Aussie my worst things were the odd fox or dingo threat as a kid but really rats were as bad as it got! Just can't get my head around dealing with bears!

I will have to dig them up and post them tonight!

 

[CoturnixComplex]

Oh. *And* foxes. And hawks. And owls. And eagles. And osprey.

No fleas or ticks, though, which my pets are loving.

 

[micstrachan]

Oh. *And* foxes. And hawks. And owls. And eagles. And osprey.

No fleas or ticks, though, which my pets are loving.

We have most of the predators you mentioned... all except Osprey and bears. I’ve seen osprey fish when visiting Canada, though. Pretty cool!

 

[mixedUPturk]

Hey it broke my heart for you to read about your Bear attack! I can def understand the fear and the feeling like your the only one none of the normal techniques apply. I pray the electricity works and i too think it will! Im glad to see so much support for the elce ive no experience with it personally tho.

Most of the preds you describe ive got and we just shot a opossum in the coop a few nights ago. The raccoons were the worst for me, theyd rip a new hole the night after we fixed the previous one. They decimated my flock and i ended up getting rid of all but my pair of banty cochin hens for 2 yrs. Now im just getting back into the swing with new cages and coops.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Geez..... did the bears eat your porridge too?

 

[CoturnixComplex]

Hey it broke my heart for you to read about your Bear attack! I can def understand the fear and the feeling like your the only one none of the normal techniques apply. I pray the electricity works and i too think it will! Im glad to see so much support for the elce ive no experience with it personally tho.

Most of the preds you describe ive got and we just shot a opossum in the coop a few nights ago. The raccoons were the worst for me, theyd rip a new hole the night after we fixed the previous one. They decimated my flock and i ended up getting rid of all but my pair of banty cochin hens for 2 yrs. Now im just getting back into the swing with new cages and coops.

Aww, thank you. I'm so sorry to hear about yours too!

Geez..... did the bears eat your porridge too?

I wish! I should have left some out for them; maybe they would have left the birds alone!

 

[mixedUPturk]

Aww, thank you. I'm so sorry to hear about yours too!

I wish! I should have left some out for them; maybe they would have left the birds alone!

Idk how much u wanna put into but I was thinkn could u like use horse panels covered in hardware cloth to fend off the flipn Bears?