should i give up on poultry?

[Henrietta23]

I am SO sorry! My heart is aching for you. I can't help with the gun myself but I will ask friends and see if anyone can help.

 

[DuckyBoys]

Quote:
We have two donkeys and they do a pretty good job. Last summer we had two coyotes over at the neighbors howling like the devil and trying for the chickens and rooster- it actually scared me! But they don't come on our property. I hear the donkeys call out at night sometimes and I always wonder if they've spotted something. One of our dogs - the livestock guardian dog - refuses to sleep inside the house with all the others so between the donkeys and the dog - I'm pretty sure the 4-legged predators keep their distance.

Now owls and hawks - not so much.

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Quote:
CUTE pup--what breed is it?

 

[chickbea]

Are you losinfg them free-ranging, or from the coop, or a pen? I'd advise a good strong pen for the days, and an impenetrable coop for the nights.
Removing predators by hunting or trapping is a short-term solution at best. Nature moves into a vacuum, so if you eliminate all the predators in your area, it will only be a matter of time until more move in.

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Quote:
I agree. If your chickens are free, they are free to be taken by anything that passes by and wants a chicken dinner.

 

[tiffanyh]

The electric netting may be a good bet. You can buy a solar electric fence charger so after the initial investment it shouldnt cost much to upkeep. Otherwise, I agree with the Fort Knox coop. Best bet....

Oh and I have heard that also about llamas (sp?) and donkeys. Good protectors. A nearby goat guy here was losing minis to coyotes and dogs. He got a llama and the llama actually killed two coyotes one evening in his large pasture. He never lost another one after that....

I PMed you....