outside feed storage solutions

[fiddlebanshee]

Perimeter fencing is a bit too much for the 14 acres we have. I'd love to because it would also keep hunters and trespassers out. But for now I'll go with a fence around the run and coop, about 5 ft away, and farther at the back of the run so that the chickens have some additional foraging room. That's why I want to try electronet because it not only keeps the bears out, it also keeps the chickens in. I may cover it with bird netting to keep hawks from having an easy meal.

 

[Dutch552]

We just bought two of these from our local Southern States farm co-op and love them. One for layer pellets and one for goat feed. They're very heavy duty and easy to use.

http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/feed...productid=feed-bin-with-stand&channelid=FROOG

http://www.highcountryplastics.com/products/bin270.html

 

[fiddlebanshee]

Thanks for the suggestion, but a bear would have no problem whatsoever to tear through this and as I said I have no place to put it in a secure building. It is a neat contraption though and if my setup was different, I would think about getting something like that.

For my situation, I still think that preventing the problem before it has a chance of occurring is the best, but expensive option. We'll go with electric fencing.

 

[fried green eggs]

I know un-electrified netting keeps chickens in but I don't know how chickens handle being in electrofied netting if they get too close or stick their head through it.?? I had one of my hens fly up and land on my electric horse fence (1 1/2" wide tape) She was getting zapped b/c she was also touching the wood board just above the tape. She kept screaming but, didn't jump off the fence. I came running and had to knock her off the fence. I think you should find out from others if electrified netting is good for chickens and if, they can learn to not touch it??

 

[Beekissed]

It isn't bad...they just squawk and jump when they get zapped. I'm using it on CX chicks and they don't suffer any ill effects from it.

 

[Habibs Hens]

not sure in USA but here in UK we have loads of indian restaraunts and they use industrial carering tubs

i go there and ask for a few 15kg 20kg etc tubs of yoghurt or anything else and theyare happy to oblidge

plus they are pretty small in hight

 

[christineavatar]

I am not sure these would work for something as big as a bear but they do work on many bothersome critters.
http://www.niteguard.com/

 

[fiddlebanshee]

I somehow don't think a bear would be deterred by that given that he is most definitely at the head of the food chain. There are no natural predators to bears. The only thing you can do is make it uncomfortable or unattractive to be in a particular spot -- zapping and noise are the only two things I've been able to find online.

The electronet is up and is carrying between 7000 and 9000 volts so I think if the bear comes back he's gonna be in for a surprise. We saw him again on Sunday closer up and it's most definitely not a juvenile. This guy is big. He was also wearing a collar so the park people had tagged him. He didn't come close to the house with the crazy lady banging a pot! Let's hope he keeps his distance.

For now the chickens are not getting zapped because they are still in the run which is inside the electric fence. In a couple of weeks when I have time, I will connect a second net to expand the area and allow them to "free range" for a couple of hours in the evening. If that goes well, I may allow them out longer, but I'll have to do something about flying predators in that case.