Protecting flock from predators

[LinckHillPoultry]

I have a bunch of horses that have their pasture right next to where the birds run around during the day, and next to the chicken PALACE (

) and runs. The horses keep the predators at bay for the most part.

The only time my birds have gotten snatched is when they've been out and not suppose to. For example, had a couple ducks that would sneak under the stall doors and walls and also fly over them. I'd chase them in and they'd fly back out. A couple of them flew out and then snuck out of the barn during the night and the foxes saw them as dinner to go and snatched them up and dragged them to the woods.

For the most part the predators haven't bothered them.

It also doesn't help when your neighbors kids go around telling ya that they're getting a jack russell, and yes, they tell me this after they heard the story of the jack russell that killed my goslings, and they're getting that jack russell to kill my ducks and other birds.
And their pitbull ended up killing 2 of my ducks, and I was not reimbursed whatsoever.


Anyways, I was wondering if anyone has ever tried a scarecrow at the ends of their runs?

I also thought it would be kind of neat to try one of those Halloween motion activated creatures.


Anyone ever tried using one of those techniques and had success?

 

[nnbreeder]

Do a search for stretcher boards and make a few and hang them on the barn. Point out to the nice children that they are used by trappers to keep hides from curling up after an animal is caught and skinned and let their imagination run wild from there. Yes it's mean I know, but if the people won't control their animals..... rode in the horse trailer one day and had blood running down my arm and soaking my clothes after a dog ran a colt through a fence. Very lucky there was no major damage to the colt and he healed up nicely.