Official BYC Poll: How Do You Protect Your Chickens From Predators?

[CLSranch]

I've seen (probably on BYC) some nipple waterers gravity feed but auto filled from setting it under the eve of the coop catching run off. Lowers the puddle of water left after a rain and you can use a hose when it's dry to long. Eh Florida it rains everyday in the summer.

 

[Birdsonghill]

I like the idea of catching and using some rainwater for watering whatever, including birds. I collect rainwater in a small water garden/goldfish pond 10 X 16 feet X 3 1/2 feet dp., and in a few large Olive barrels. I keep the water mostly for reserve if the power goes out. Can't flush a toilet without water! I have had a rain gutter/small Ag tank set up at a former home years ago, with taps and gravity irrigation set up and used it regularly on my small garden there. I have not done that here. I do have a large garden irrigation system, but it is not near the house or barn and I use a hose from the well when needed. I may play with that this year! BTW, the pond water makes good fertilizer water when siphoned from the bottom!

 

[cmom]

@Birdsonghill
I know from your post where you are in this world. Maybe add it to your profile.

 

[cmom]

 

[Birdsonghill]

@Birdsonghill
I know from your post where you are in this world. Maybe add it to your profile.

I am in West Tennessee

 

[CLSranch]

Looked up trapping bobcats yesterday on the 'youtube'. Lost a lot of chickens last year to 1 and some coons. I tied a piece of tin foil to a tree last night as a visual attractant and watched a horse eat said tin foil this morning.

A bob cat even came into the yard and got a large roo early one morning after the wife let the chickens out and brought the dogs in to eat. I don't think it would have gotten with the heeler outside.

 

[Birdsonghill]

Looked up trapping bobcats yesterday on the 'youtube'. Lost a lot of chickens last year to 1 and some coons. I tied a piece of tin foil to a tree last night as a visual attractant and watched a horse eat said tin foil this morning.

A bob cat even came into the yard and got a large roo early one morning after the wife let the chickens out and brought the dogs in to eat. I don't think it would have gotten with the heeler outside.

My dogs were pretty good when I left them living with my sheep. But I loved my dogs too much! I always got hit when my dogs were with my wife/or I ,doing something else, or at the vets. A pair of Great Pyrenees( or some other large dogs ) will keep most anything driven off, but they are expensive, time consuming to train/keep, have to be present always and can be dangerous to human visitors, as well, sometimes, when raised/trained/kept with stock. I have shot a bobcat, leg trapped one, but never live trapped a bobcat. The leg trapped one was by accident, while trying to trap coyotes at a large local farm. Jack mackerel for bait, tied in a piece of panty hose behind the trap in a den type set up (tunnel like, one way in). I hate the smell of skinning a cat, almost, as bad as hand scalding/cleaning wild geese! Both smells stayed with me for a lifetime and will dull your appetite. A night time still watch hunt, over bait, is sometimes good, if you are patient and willing to lose a night(s) sleep, when the predator is actively working your property. Prebait the shooting lane/location a couple days with food or a live chicken in a cage, everybody likes fresh chicken! You may get overwhelmed by raccoons and domestic cats, but if the bobcat is around, be patient, he will be back too. But remember, cats see, smell and hear better than us, and you are best at a distance and well concealed and not smelling like Gain detergent! If you have the money a good night vision scope is Great! Otherwise, like we did long ago, hunt on well moonlit nights and place the target in the open, closer and be even more patient! I spent cold sleepless nights, only to miss when I shot! I only did that for sport and for predator control way back, for coyotes. Only successful occasionally. The traps actually were preferred for all the obvious reasons, for all predators. I know a lot of you country folks are experienced hunters and have some trapping experience, but I know a lot of people have none. Don't leg trap dogs! Be smart, be careful and obey the laws! good luck!

 

[CLSranch]

I always got hit when my dogs were with my wife/or I ,doing something else, or at the vets.

Grr

they are expensive, time consuming to train/keep, have to be present always and can be dangerous to human visitors,

1 thing I like about this heeler is she is MEAN. My neighbor was saying he can't get out of the truck. I said I know neither can a burgular call 1st. But I live on a very small acreage and have other neighbors that walk by and I have to keep her in the pen or garage if I'm not out. But with work taking me away for weeks or months at a time it's nice to have a mean dog to watch the wife and kids.

 

[Birdsonghill]

Grr

they are expensive, time consuming to train/keep, have to be present always and can be dangerous to human visitors,


1 thing I like about this heeler is she is MEAN. My neighbor was saying he can't get out of the truck. I said I know neither can a burgular call 1st. But I live on a very small acreage and have other neighbors that walk by and I have to keep her in the pen or garage if I'm not out. But with work taking me away for weeks or months at a time it's nice to have a mean dog to watch the wife and kids.

I actually am never without a dog or two or more! I have had dogs all my life and I know they have protected me on many occasions! Still, most of my sheep and goats were killed by dogs. Sad

 

[MeowthLover_ThatsRight]

I have a lovely rooster who is actually very on-guard, even though he's not much of a fighter (my boy who passed this summer was both! He attacked hawks several times). I also have an electric fence. It's been almost five years and I have had no ground-predator attacks ever, except for one girl who got out of the fence. I've had a LOT of hawk attacks, this year especially, so I installed twine above my fence. Works like a charm! I have a thread about it floating around here somewhere, it's called "Finally got the twine up!" If anyone wants to look at some pictures of it.

sorry about your rooster