outdoor lights?

[acates]

Just wandering if outside lights around coop would deter night time preditors? Is there anything that you can put around coop or run that would help? No chemicals though! Thanks

 

[centrarchid]

Look into a low output fence charger with two, possibly three wires going around structure. Zap will not by itself stop most determined predators but if properly positioned will make challenging the coop / run itself a very unpleasant experience. I use such to protect some otherwise very flimsy chicken tractors. My preference is for wires to be place at about 6", 12' and 18" above ground. In some instances only a single wire will get job done.

 

[acates]

Well I have small children and I really don't want to put up electric fence! Any other ideas? Thanks

 

[centrarchid]

I have small children and was raised around electrified fencing. Care can be taken to educate kids about hotwire. They will still push envelope and get shocked a time or two but they will not be confused and quickly figure out what they can get away with around the wire. My eldest at 2 1/2 years already navigates around fencing and even has concept of turning it off but is not yet tall enough to operate switch.


You can set it up so it is off when kids are outside. The system is low cost and effective. Alternatives may be low cost but will not be effective.