Shade Cloth and Coons

[brockmc]

We have been losing chickens and finally saw the big coon in the chicken yard yesterday afternoon.

We want to cover the yard. Has anyone used that to cover the yard, and if so where did you get it? I called Lowe's and it is no longer a stocked item. Our yard is about 10 X 20 and I want to stand up in it....

Thanks
Carol Ann

 

[TexasVet]

You can find shade cloth kits through Amazon: http://www.countrychickens.com/country_chickens_4_007.htm

It'll keep the chickens cooler, but won't do much to keep out a determined coon. I got tired of trying to repel, trap, and keep them out, and finally up up hotwire at the top and bottom of the chicken yard. So far I've lost of couple of young birds (about 2 months old) who got touched a live wire, but haven't lost anything to the coons or possums.

To cut down on the chicks losses, I added a photoelectric cell to the fence so it turns off at dawn and on at dusk.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com

 

[citrusdreams]

I second that: shade cloth will do nothing to protect your chickens from predators. But not only will it keep your chickens shaded, but it will protect your veggies from the hot sun

You'll have to use something like deer netting and clasp it down tight with something sturdy and strong. I've always used those heavy duty black zip ties. Others have nicely said that's inadequate because coons can break them and recommend heavy duty J clasps/clamps? They're probably right. There's not doubt I've been pretty lucky (knock on wood). Anyway, you can get them at TSC.