chickyduck
In the Brooder
Anyone is eugene area that breeds chickens or ducks?
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Hello and welcome! I live across the river from you a few miles, so we pretty much have the same varmint problem. In a nutshell, the 4 legged kind include Raccoons, Opossums, coyotes, dogs, and assorted others. For all of those you need 1/2" hardware cloth on windows, vents and at least around the bottom of the runs. The other option around the run is to run an electric fence. Lots of good threads on here to peruse for ideas on that. One I liked in particular was the Omak Coop by Dave Omac, go to post 49 on page 5 for his how to. Sorry, I can't cut and paste at the moment, will come back later and add. Here it is. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/915975/electrifying-my-coop-with-an-electric-fencer-how-i-did-it
For Hawks and eagles you can give them lots of shelters nearby to get under quickly, or use wire overhead, again, lots of different methods here to research and see what works for you. Owls are another potential problem, but if you have a secure coop they go into before dark they should be safe. Good luck and have fun.
Hahahaha. Are they co-parenting well?
I bought plaster of paris and peanut butter today. I will be setting out balls tonight.and hopefully they will eat them and expire. This seems to work for some and not others. Crossing my fingers! If this fails I will resort to the sunflower seed and water bucket. I have enlisted someone else to check and empty the buckets.
I have noticed a new cat in the field on the other side of me. Ever hopeful this kitty will help eliminate the varmints. Although most of the time when he is in my yard he seems to be stalking my 6 week old chicks.
I actually get along well with my neighbor. We just do not see eye to eye on the varmints. She feels ever critter has a right to live. And with the warm winter we had we have an enormous number of rats! She has 5 cats and none of them go after the rats. 1 of her cats loves to catch squirrels.