New to chickens and this type of website.

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Hahnrooster

Hahnrooster

In the Brooder
Apr 23, 2016
4
1
15
No chickens yet. Just built the coop and was looking for info on painting it and found this nice site. Happy I found it but bummed I need to raise the coop now that I read about the minks. I had no idea they were bloodsuckers. Better to find out now than to have my kids find out in the morning! Looking forward to being part of the group.
 
Thanks
I live right next to a river and 4000 acres of preserved land so I need to be very careful about the predators and I plan to be but I was not thinking about minks. I was more worried about raccoons and fox. I also have snakes around. Hope I can keep my girls safe. At least 3 of my neighbors have chickens and they seem to be fine so maybe I am being over protective. This is my nature anyway so I will go with it
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Welcome to BYC. I would also suggest using 1/2" hardware cloth in your coop or run. Predators cannot, slash and bite thru it like flimsy chicken wire. It will last much longer, and is a much better defense as long as it is securely fastened to framework - not held on by plastic ties.
 
Thanks for the tip
I bought an online cool for starters and they used the 1/2 inch wire fencing. It seems very strong and it is secured fairly well but I plan to reinforce it anyway. I am more concerned about the "doors". They have decent latches on them but I am not sure. I will have to do my best and hope it works out.
What about "active" predator protection like lights or auto water sprayers or something like that. I know some people who use this type to keep deer away.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC - glad that you have joined us. It seems like you are doing fine so far - as you say - its better to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to predators!

Best wishes
CT
 
Hi all, well I have not been on this site since I got my chicks. It has been a little over a year and all was well. I even saved one of the chicks from beasty butt and all six chickens were doing great until today. I am very sad. I lost half my girls today. 2 Astros and 1 Buff (my favorite) Penelope was so sweet, she would walk right up to me and beg me to pick her up. She would let me hold her while everyone petted her, etc. Now she is gone and I feel terrible since doing this probably made her vulnerable to whatever got her. There was no trace of her. No feathers, no blood, no nothing. The 2 Astros didn't leave much either except some feathers. I have not had an issue from the beginning. I let them free range almost everyday and they were always fine. Now today I lose 3 in one afternoon. I am so upset. I searched around for 2 hours and nothing. I suspect a fox or 2 since I don't think the hawks can manuever to get them with all the trees and other stuff I have around although I have seem hawks do some amazing things. Anyway, the reason I am writing (besides trying to make myself feel better) is this; I had on of the Buffs survive I think by jumping in the river next to my house and then getting out of the river when I called for her. It seems crazy but she was completely soaked including her head but no injuries or cuts or anything. We call her Tiny because she is the smallest and fastest and nuttiest too. Has anyone heard of something like this? If it was a fox don't they swim and wouldn't they go in after her? If it was a hawk, don't they go after fish under that are obviously under water. I find this incident very strange (besides upsetting). Do I have a magic chicken? Penny for your thoughts and also comments on what to do now that whatever predator I have knows where to get lunch and dinner!!!!
 
Hahnrooster said:
No chickens yet. Just built the coop and was looking for info on painting it and found this nice site. Happy I found it but bummed I need to raise the coop now that I read about the minks. I had no idea they were bloodsuckers. Better to find out now than to have my kids find out in the morning! Looking forward to being part of the group.
Click to expand...
Welcome aboard! :frow
We are glad you joined our flock.
This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:
 

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