So Many Predators!

[piper123]

We live on the edge of a hunting reserve and it seems like all of the predators are migrating towards our property. We have foxes, raccoons, coyotes, hawks, opossums, and snakes. We can't even let our chickens out to free range during the day. We went inside for half and hour and the chickens were in our front yard and one was taken by a fox or something. Is there any way to let our chickens free range and deter predators?

 

[gamebirdsonly]

If it's legal where you live trap or shoot any predators except hawks

Good luck.

 

[donrae]

Livestock guardian dogs and electric fences/netting. In your situation, nothing's going to be 100% safe except an enclosed run. You might look into a rotational paddock system, or mobile tractors to give your birds access to grasses but still keep them safe.

 

[piper123]

The birds are safe in their coop and run; nothing can get in. So I guess they will have to stay in there unless we are with them

 

[Mrs. K]

A full grown rooster, at a year of age, can help dramatically with day time predators. I love to let mine out, but I have lost them through the years. Good rooster protections helps me the best.

A couple of other things that help, don't let them out on a constant routine, sometimes I let them out at 7:30 am, sometimes not till 4:00. Sometimes I round them up after just a couple of hours. If it is real windy, I don't let them out at all.

If I get hit by a predator, I don't let them out for several days, hopefully encouraging the predators to move on.

Once they find you, they come visiting regularly.

Mrs K