Prarie dogs??

[wattsjadajoe]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=558445&p=2


I have 36 acres and I can/plan free range. My main concern is preditors. I know about the Cyote issue and I have designed an anti-Cyote fence.
Questions I have are; Do prarrie dogs pose a threat? How big must the peeps be before they are safe from large birds? Are they ever? And most important, will the chicks come back in at night on their own?
Befor I complete my containment design, These are questions I should answer. Any comments?


I think I posted this in the wrong place.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I believe prairie dogs eat primarily vegetation, with a few bugs thrown in. I don't think they will kill a chicken, they are not really built to be predators. One of their biggest predators is the bird of prey though, so you may be lucky and the chickens may be too much for them and they might move out.

However, I have seen the local ground squirrels eat their pals that are dead (some from cars, others from lead poisoning). But I don't think they hunt each other, just eat what happens to be there in front of them.

 

[wattsjadajoe]

Thanks for the info!