Squirrels in my coop

[MarylandChick]

No matter what I do I can't keep squirrels out of my chicken run and my coop. They are eating themselves into morbid obesity and my rooster who is oh so brave and attentive, is doing nothing about this. All of the chickens huddle in the corner freaking out while their food gets raided. They can bit thru chicken wire so I guess all I can do is think of a way to make the not want to go in my coop. But it's not like I can't stop putting food out for the chickens and all those squirrels away deterrants and sour tasting sprays do any good. Even if I electrified a fence around one part they's still find a way in thru anothing.

HELP

 

[PAChickenChick]

ok, this may or may not help...I don't know cause I'm new...but...
Squirrels don't like the flower called merigolds cause of the smell. Maybe you can buy some and plant them around the outside of your coop and run to make a barrier the squirrels wouldn't want to cross. I don't know how chickens feel about merigolds so I'd prolly keep them far enough away that the chickens couldn't eat them.

Course since squirrels are pesky jumpy guys....this may not help at all if they are not accessing the coop from the ground....but it was all I could think of at the moment

 

[dangerouschicken]

You have to get wire they cannot chew through. I use 1/4" welded wire, and NOTHING gets in there. I have squirrels, skunks, snakes, raccoons, hawks, eagles, coyotes, etc. NOTHING gets in there.

Good luck and sorry about the squirrel infestation

 

[austinhart123]

i have a problem with squirells too! the chickens didnt mind the squirels till one went after a broodie's chick. luckily, i was able to save the chick, the mother was fiercly attacking the sqruirell with no prevail, so now we shoot them

 

[dangerouschicken]

Do you eat them squirrels you shoot, too? My ma says they're good eatin' (minus the buckshot)

 

[ninjapoodles]

We had a persistent squirrel coming in the top of the chicken yard (there is bird netting on the top) and eating the chickens' feed. Then my husband added a hot-wire along the top of the fence, and there hasn't been any squirrel trespassing since.

People say that electric wire several feet off the ground like that won't work, because the animal touching the wire isn't touching the ground at the same time, but I've seen several birds get fried by lighting on our horse fence, and I've seen a squirrel get shocked and jump into a horse-trough!

 

[luvmychicknkids]

Quote:
OMG.....as horrified as I am to admit it, I LOVEEEEEEE squirrell. Been years since I had any, but I can drive by a house where they are cooking it, smell it, and want some soooooo bad.

 

[austinhart123]

Quote:
OMG.....as horrified as I am to admit it, I LOVEEEEEEE squirrell. Been years since I had any, but I can drive by a house where they are cooking it, smell it, and want some soooooo bad.

LOL..............i'll open a resturaunt.....but it will need a name

 

[luvmychicknkids]

I'm sorry, but it just MUST have rodent in the name to be right!!! Or maybe just something like "Bushytail Burgers"........

 

[Dawn419]

Quote:
Very good eatin'...from a South Jersey transplant!

Don't have dibs on ours though as the landlady (who has a farm behind our mini) likes them, too!.


Dawn