Shocking development

[cmom]

Free ranging, I'm surprised you haven't lost any birds, yet.
I have electric wires around my coops and pens. My charger is a 1.2 joule charger. When a predator touches it they know it. Most predators first explore with their noses.

The coyote knows the electric wires are there. The pop doors are open.

 

[Dailypix]

Cmon. I guess I’ve been lucky we have hawks, foxes and sometimes wolves. When we are home we are kind of noisy which helps I guess. The big rooster keeps an eye out as well and the girls listen to his warning call. Everyone retreats to the run and he waits at the door.. We also have some crows who hector hawks and keep them away. Only critters we see in the day are plenty of chipmunks, occasional rabbit, woodchucks deer and moose. It is the nocturnal predators I am concerned about.
one year I accidentally locked a family of 6 raccoons who were hiding in the inner coop I keep in the run to segregate newcomers. That was a disaster. I won’t make that mistake again.

 

[cmom]

I had my most favorite bird out one day and I was out there too. A fox took her during the middle of the day. I knew it was a possibility but hadn't seen any predators during the day. I never found her. This was Gladys, she was 3 years old when the fox got her.

 

[Dailypix]

I had my most favorite bird out one day and I was out there too. A fox took her during the middle of the day. I knew it was a possibility but hadn't seen any predators during the day. I never found her. This was Gladys, she was 3 years old when the fox got her.
View attachment 2297422

So sorry

 

[RainbowHen]

I agree that you have been lucky. You can run electric wire around where your birds forage. 6"-8" and 12"-14" off the ground. More the better. Keeps the predators out and the birds will learn to stay in the bounds very quickly as well. I have had coon and fox take birds right in front of me and my dogs in the middle of the day. Owls will move in at dawn and dusk. Coyotes hunt all day and night. Hawks all day. Your set-up is beautiful and impressive. I quite like it. Best of luck.

 

[Dailypix]

How strong is your electric fence? If it took several hits for the Raccoons to get the message, it is too low. Bring up the power so it lights them up and they won't mess with it.

Its strong but I think different raccoons tested it. At the end 4 adults stood by and let a little one try. There was a loud crack and the little one took off. The adults slowly walked away the way raccoons do. (They rarely seem to be in a hurry) This year one or two come by occasionally. They just sniff around. I think the clicking of the charger alerts them.

 

[cmom]

What is the voltage of your wires. It should be at least 7000 volts. My charger makes a loud clicking but I have still seen predators around the coops and pens. I think they get used to the sound.

 

[Dailypix]

What is the voltage of your wires. It should be at least 7000 volts. My charger makes a loud clicking but I have still seen predators around the coops and pens. I think they get used to the sound.

If I recall correctly it is 30,000 volts good for 40 miles.

 

[cmom]

You better check that. None I know of goes that high unless you're out for the kill. My 1 joule charger good for 25 miles puts out an average around 7,000 - 10,000 volts. My 50 mile charger averages around 14,000+ volts.