Okay well hello all.
I have no chickens, but I am researching because I want to raise some as pets.
I live in the wilderness on a 5 acre plot of land outside of the city. Our major predators here include coyotes, neighbors' dogs and bobcats.
Currently I am researching various ways to build coops that protect chickens from these predators.
My number one concern is losing my flock to predators.
My first question: I have 7 cats (4 are strict indoor, 3 are ferals)
Will there be a way to train the ferals to leave my chickens alone? Can a housecat kill a chicken?
Secondly: My neighbor has dogs that run loose. We chase them out of yard almost every single day because they dig holes in my flower gardens and chase our cats. How can I protect chickens from these dogs? (PS: Complaining to said neighbor does no good, and the police don't care.)
Thirdly: Coyotes and wild critters. I'd be very afraid to allow my chickens to free roam unsupervised.
The way I thought of building the coop/run(s) was to make sure the flooring is layered with chicken wire to prevent creatures from digging underneath. Do you think this would work? The coyotes have dug up nearly all of our pets' graves which is very, um traumatizing for the children in the family.
I'm kind of an animal rights activist and I don't believe in killing critters just for being a nuisance. So I would like humane ways to deter them away from my tasty poultry.
I have no chickens, but I am researching because I want to raise some as pets.
I live in the wilderness on a 5 acre plot of land outside of the city. Our major predators here include coyotes, neighbors' dogs and bobcats.
Currently I am researching various ways to build coops that protect chickens from these predators.
My number one concern is losing my flock to predators.
My first question: I have 7 cats (4 are strict indoor, 3 are ferals)
Will there be a way to train the ferals to leave my chickens alone? Can a housecat kill a chicken?
Secondly: My neighbor has dogs that run loose. We chase them out of yard almost every single day because they dig holes in my flower gardens and chase our cats. How can I protect chickens from these dogs? (PS: Complaining to said neighbor does no good, and the police don't care.)
Thirdly: Coyotes and wild critters. I'd be very afraid to allow my chickens to free roam unsupervised.
The way I thought of building the coop/run(s) was to make sure the flooring is layered with chicken wire to prevent creatures from digging underneath. Do you think this would work? The coyotes have dug up nearly all of our pets' graves which is very, um traumatizing for the children in the family.
I'm kind of an animal rights activist and I don't believe in killing critters just for being a nuisance. So I would like humane ways to deter them away from my tasty poultry.