Predator protection advice please!!

[Inez Austin]

You might also buy a few air horns, They run about $13 and are available where there are boating supplies. They are air cans with a horn on top with a button you depress, really really loud. Canines hate them. We have problems with owls, eagles and hawks so have hung long strips of that bright orange snow fence between trees in flight patterns about 6' off the ground. Altho we have not lost any (yet) our neighbor up the road has lost two full grown hens to Great Gray Owls.

 

[sarajean]

Biggest diggers I have are the chickens digging dusting holes next to the fence and digging out!

As the OP stated they are near Lancaster, PA, as am I, and I also back against woods as well as a medium sized stream, here's my primary predator list:

Dogs, cats, opossum (have had in run), racoon (took a bird), fox, coyote, hawks, owl, mink, weasel, crows, and my number one predator blue jays. Blue jays have taken numerous broody raised chicks that were in my open top run. I've watched them. I've also seen them fly through 2x4 welded wire.

Total adult losses over four years: 1. Run is 5 ft. Welded wire, open top, there are trees and blackberries in the run for cover. Pop door is never closed.

The one person nearby that I know had major losses lost them to coyote, and that was primarily ducks. The snow has drifted making the fence effectively 1foot high.

So what about flying predators? I feel bad leaving the chickens fenced in because it's a small area off the back of the coop. But I've been heartbroken too many times with hawks or falcons taking our chickens so now they don't free range anymore..anything work for the flying predators?

 

[Inez Austin]

Snow fence comes in rolls, fairly inexpensive, use zip ties or even string to attach to the top of the fencing you have, pvc pipe will hold it up is you run it across the top of the existing fence and is cheap this time of year.

I use snow fence around the tomatoes because hens eat blooms and fruit. and it rolls up nicely when not in use. If I could figure out how to attach a photo I would show you what I do with it for hanging it between trees.

 

[horsehauler]

We had experienced several attacks by Raccoons and Fox until I installed hot fencing used for live stock and horse penning at events.

It consists of adding plastic standoffs /insulators on the existing chicken wire run enclosure these attach to the upright stakes/posts that hold the chicken wire in place. they keep the electric tape about an inch off the face of the chicken wire enclosure. I then looped the fencing tape which is a plastic woven tape @ 1/2" tall that has thin wires woven in, through the insulators which keep the tape from grounding out on the chicken wire enclosure. I ran four rows 6" - 8" apart up the outside of the run enclosure the wire tape is then attached to a ac powered charger that plugs into a 120v outlet in the coop. (you can also use a more portable battery operated power supply that takes 4 d cell batteries that last @ 2 months).

We have not had a problem with the fox or raccoons since. We still see them visiting at times early in the am or hear them at night but they have not gotten past the electric tape to attack the girls in over three years. The electric charge wont kill them but it does keep them away once they try to climb into the run. we also have buried the fence a foot or so into the ground that no one has dug under.

The materials are simple to install, the cost is pretty reasonable @ $ 60 for a Zareba 115 volt 60 cycle charger that puts out 9,000 volts, a no load pulsed charge at 1 second intervals. Plastic insulators run @ .25 each, and 1/2 " poly tape in a 600' roll runs about 25.00 a roll or .04 per foot. you also need a copper or galvanized steel grounding rod driven into the ground about 2-3 feet to ground the charger to. no real maintenance of the electric fencing is required. These items can be purchased at places like Tractor Supply, Agway and some feed stores.

This is a very effective and safe solution to predator's like fox , raccoons and dogs etc. if the top of the run is open it wont help with hawks or other predatory birds.

Best of luck in protecting your girls.

 

[chiques chicks]

So what about flying predators? I feel bad leaving the chickens fenced in because it's a small area off the back of the coop. But I've been heartbroken too many times with hawks or falcons taking our chickens so now they don't free range anymore..anything work for the flying predators?

I think what works in my favor is diverse wildlife. Lots of squirrel, rabbit, mice, etc for the flying predators. There are apple trees and mulberry trees and blackberry brambles in my run as well, so the chickens have s place to hide.

I have seen hawks chase squirrel deep into a large pine next to my run.

I did lose a few early, but my roosters keeps an eye on the sky and the ones that survived early are very wary. I must add, my chickens aren't super friendly and I like it that way, I feel it keeps them alive.

 

[Inez Austin]

Here is a view of the hawk fencing. You can also see where we used some old plastic lattice for a safety tunnel. The wire fencing also runs along the section against the house.

 

[Skylarwahl]

The best protection by far are geese, you will need about 3. One will always be on guard. Unlike dogs that usually sleep at night, or like our dogs - come inside at night, geese are always on patrol. It is best to have at least 3 so they can take turns sleeping. They will sound the alarm, which is usually enough in itself to run fox and other predators off, and once they are secure in their surroundings (that usually only take a week or two) they will even attack a fox or raccoon. They will even protect the chickens from hawks if the area isn't too large and they can keep their flock close by. And oh by the way, you will fall in love with them they are such personable birds!

 

[keirarose]

Some kind of covered movable enclosure like Joel Salatin uses would be perfect. You can make them any size you want. See them here.

 

[RnRRidgerunner]

Experience is one heck of a teacher. HA HA

 

[Timotiyos]

You might also buy a few air horns, They run about $13 and are available where there are boating supplies.  They are air cans with a horn on top with a button you depress, really really loud.  Canines hate them.  We have problems with owls, eagles and hawks so have hung long strips of that bright orange snow fence between trees in flight patterns about 6' off the ground.  Altho we have not lost any (yet) our neighbor up the road has lost two full grown hens to Great Gray Owls.