Solar "garden" lights near coop to deter preditors? Will this work?

[maf2008]

There are soooo many preditor attacks (I have never had one so far......

) and I am putting in an extension "run" on to my coop

(My chickens are bigger and outgrew the coop! who knew?

)

TODAY I am adding the "solar electric fence" that will deliver a zappppp

jolt to anything that touches the wire surrounding the coop/run.

BUT will a solar light set (like people put on sidwalks) around the coop deter night preditors? I do not care if the rooster(s) crow all of the tiime......They are 2 acres away from my bedroom.

I am also placing rocks and free tiles at the bottom of the coop on the perimiter outside and pouring "quickdry" cement at the bottom for additional support and strength. (My DH thinks I am building a fortrace!

All suggestions for preditors are welcome. thanks

 

[Chickenfortress]

Lights don't seem to deter coons and possums when they raid porches for catfood or rip open trashcans. I really doubt they will care about your lights after a couple of nights.

 

[SunAngel]

I'm not sure, but we live at the base of a small mountain, surrounded by state forest land and I am sure lots of creatures. There has been skunks, coons, fox, bear and coyotes spotted and we hear the occasional bobcat or mountain lion cry. I have solar lights all around my runs and coop and haven't seen any predator activity in the year I have had chickens. I hope they are helping.

Plus we have a lot of stray cats in the area, so maybe while they are hunting for mice around the coops, they keep the coons and skunks away?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I agree. Lights will not make any real difference. Most wildlife, not just predators but deer also, figure out pretty quickly that some things just won't hurt them. It may work for a while but I would not count on it for any length of time.

What will work is something solid they cannot get through or the electric shock. The electric shock is very effective but it can occcasionally malfunction. You still need the wire and dig protection.

If you need to go to the coop at night, however, the lights would make it more convenient for you, so it may be worth doing for that reason. And, in case of an attack, it might help you see the predator so you may be able to shoot it.

Bottom line. From a predator viewpoint, I would not count on it but it should not hurt.

 

[shawnm2639]

I too live in the country and am worried bout night visitors..in addition to all the critters mentioned we have coyotes...very smart little fellers...we have been know to put a small radio at the barn on talk radio to keep em at bay.

 

[Ol'FashionHen]

I doubt the lights will work ...but I did get a solar powered string of lights for the inside of the coop and they work dandy for a night light for my chookies. I'm getting some fake rock ones that will shine in the windows for a little more.

 

[Faverolle]

IMO they do not make any difference. I have some solar walkway lights and also two motion sensor solar spotlights by my coops. They are there more so so I can see a little better rather then trying to deter predators.

 

[Crystalchic]

i tried solar lights and every time that my light went on my roosters would crow
they were always crowing
and i was never sleeping

 

[mfsakc]

Living where we do, with the skunks, racoons and other various night raiders we use a motion detector hooked up to an a.m. radio. So when the culprit trips the motion detector the a.m. radio blares and scares 'em off. Haven't used it around the coop but it works for keeping the racoons and skunks from coming in thru the dog door to the garage where the dogs are fed.