Should i be afraid of squirrels?

[Roosterboy]

I have tons of squirrels where i live and the usually chases them away. I am worried that they will get into the coop. Should I?

 

[peeboo]

they may snack on scraps leftover from your chickens but i dont see any harm unless maybe you'd be afraid of diseases. But i wouldn't worry too much. I dont see that they pose a real threat, but that's all a personal choice.

 

[redoak]

Should i be afraid of squirrels?

Have you ever seen the movie "Attack of the Killer Squirrels"?

Nuff said

 

[RickiHupp]

Quote:
Have you ever seen the movie "Attack of the Killer Squirrels"?

Nuff said

 

[conny63malies]

I think the squirrelies should be more afraid of attacking chickens or ducks. My little mille fleur will chase sparrows away from her grain.

 

[miss_jayne]

only if you or your chickens are dressed up like walnuts!

squirrels don't seem to be a threat nor chipmunks. we have a bunch of chipmunks all over and a nest right next to the big coop and they haven't tried to get in or get feed etc.

 

[amazondoc]

Squirrels will eat the chicks of small songbirds if they get a chance, but I would think that all but the youngest chicken babies would be too much for them to handle. And if the chicks are out in the coop with momma, then I'm sure she could handle any challenge!

 

[Cetawin]

I would not worry too much about squirrels unless you have a bunch of unattended babies. They might go after one of those but still unlikely.

 

[NYREDS]

Squirrels are herbivores, they will not go after your chicks.

They will try to get at your feed & if successful will rob you blind. I had one who kept getting into my corn barrel. He was able to tip the top off with 4 bricks piled on it. Finally had to bungee it down. He was a sleek, fat beautiful squirrel though-very well fed.

 

[aiwetir]

squirrels are not herbivores, they eat chicks. seen it with my own eyes and have read it often. flying squirrels are actually pretty vicious in this way too.

the ones i saw waited until the stellar's jay's eggs hatched then ate the chicks, then had the gall to come to my screen door begging for hazelnuts all covered in blood.

flying squirrels are one of the top predators of marbled murrelet (endangered seabirds that nest in old-growth/mature forests) eggs and chicks in washington. murrelet chicks are about as large as chicken chicks.

having said that, i probably wouldn't worry, my girls go after the local mooch.