Protecting your flock from predation. suggestions welcome, no comments

[ivan3]

Chicken Momo wrote: Very upset, Black Beauty (Wild Eastern hen) was killed today by (we are guessing) Coyotes. My turkeys usually roost in the trees. However, she had a nest of 19 eggs and had started sitting on them earlier this week. She was completely hidden under brush, it took me a while to find where her nest was because she was so camoflauged. I guess they could smell her... ):

Sorry about your hen. Turkey hens are fox/coyote/raccoon bait if allowed to locate in unauthorized locations. Ours will try to set up shop `in the woods', but are immediately returned (with their eggs) to a `safe' location. They don't like it and can sometimes be persistent and sneaky. However, they get the message with time: Close attention to a general strategy of overall predator suppression will also allow the new mamas to wander a bit with their poults with a decreased chance of pred. attack. Good luck!

 

[seminolewind]

I think someone had mentioned a baby monitor. I might do that for spot checks.

 

[OldGuy43]

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned electric fencing. Properly designed and maintained it will deter climbers and burrowers. While I've never tried it, it would even be possible to use it as a defense against aerial predators. Aside from a little bit of electricity it doesn't need to be fed, it's always on guard and never misses.