Sexing 8 week old Ameraucanas?

[ramona2]

Yes it was a hard year here for bears and fowl. Many folks lost birds and had their chicken coops thrashed by the hungry bruins. In total I lost 9 bird in two nights. I found the bears here have a preference for expensive heritage breeds....

 

[bullets]

Yeah and I wouldn't know how to bear proof a chicken coup.

 

[junebuggena]

Yeah and I wouldn't know how to bear proof a chicken coup.

You can't really 'bear proof' anything. If they are hungry enough, they will find a way in.

 

[ramona2]

Yes, there are electric fences that can discourage most motivated bears but I am unable to invest the cash right now. I have moved all the survivors to a chicken tractor right by the house and so far my dog has been keeping the flock safe from further raids.The conservation officers shoot bears here, relocation is not an option. The perils of keeping chickens in the mountains!

 

[junebuggena]

Yes, there are electric fences that can discourage most motivated bears but I am unable to invest the cash right now. I have moved all the survivors to a chicken tractor right by the house and so far my dog has been keeping the flock safe from further raids.The conservation officers shoot bears here, relocation is not an option. The perils of keeping chickens in the mountains!

Same here. Problem bears are killed. There is no way to safely and effectively stop them from being problematic. If you relocate them, they will just become a problem somewhere else, or return their old area.
Electric fences can help deter bears, and you should take care to make sure feed gets brought inside at night. Bears LOVE chicken feed.

 

[ramona2]

Same here. Problem bears are killed. There is no way to safely and effectively stop them from being problematic. If you relocate them, they will just become a problem somewhere else, or return their old area.
Electric fences can help deter bears, and you should take care to make sure feed gets brought inside at night. Bears LOVE chicken feed.

In my case the bear left the feed alone and went for the birds.