Predator Deterrent?

[siriradha]

I should never have come visiting the message board today! LOL Foxes, and hawks, and coons, oh my!

When I was out on my bike this morning, I almost ran into a fox trotting down the alley about a mile from my house. Great. I'm getting chickens and I've already got foxes (and raccoon, and hawks). I asked a man standing by his car how high the foxes can jump, and he said he and his wife have watched them waaaay up high in the trees across the street.That's more than a little unnerving, don'tcha think?

Anyway, I'd read about people having their dogs (or significant others) peeing around the perimeter of their yards, and I got to thinkin'. Dangerous territory for me, I know. So, I called the zoo and put in an order for 10 lbs of tiger poo. Sean, my zoo buddy, said you have to use it fresh or store it in your freezer till needed. DH is going to love moving this stuff aside so he can reach his steaks! Bet my next door neighbor is going to love the scent, too, but she's sort of got it coming. Her cats periodically use my vegetable garden for a litter box. I'd say we'll be even.

Do you think it'll help discourage chicken-biting foxes, coyotes, and raccoons?

 

[DawnSuiter]

I dunno, but I find it hilarious that you can order tiger poop!

we always have a few dogs out and about, so far works great for us.

 

[EngieKisses]

I would definantly think that would work, lol. Here we use a radio set on a 24/7 talk station. We have never had a predator attack. *knocks on wood big time. It is just a cheap alarm clock that I hung up in one of the coops. We got it from Walmart for $5. I was told that if you have a radio set on talk that the animals will hear the human voice and stay away. However, a music station is suppose to not be effective. We have used the radio for over a year now with all well. We live in the middle of a pasture with a wooded area very close.

 

[journey11]

http://www.niteguard.com/

You might check into these flashing red solar powered LED lights. Website will explain further.

I haven't actually used them, but by the same concept, we live on a hilltop from which you can see 6 cellphone towers blinking on the distant hills surrounding us. Other than dogs, I have no predators whatsoever. When I drive down the hill into the valley, I routinely see foxes, opossums, raccoons and the like crossing (or squashed on) the road.

The hawks by day do not bother us either, but for different reasons--my neighbor has a portion of his property enclosed to keep in wild rabbits so that they can train their beagles.

Speaking of dogs, they are good to have around to alert you to trespassers such as stray dogs and domestic cats (which are not bothered by the lights for some reason).

We don't have wild cats or bears though, so I don't know how effective it would be for them.

Anyone here tried the Nite Guard lights??

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

WELCOME to BYC's - you came to a great place to learn about chickens.

Preditors are all around, you just didn't see them prior to chickens.

You will be ok as long as you don't provide the preditors with a food source.

No pet food, garbage cans, compost piles, wild bird food, spilled chicken feed left out at night.

Make sure your run and coop are preditor proof. NO CHICKEN or POULTRY wire.

And ALWAYS lock up your birds in the coop at night.

Do your best to protect your birds and enjoy the eggs to come.