Squirrels raiding food

[Isabella F]

I have a really big problem with these two squirrels that keep eating all of my chicken feed. They push themselves through the fence then eat all the food! We don't want to redo the whole coop. Should I use a trap or is there a second option? I'd prefer not to trap it and kill it.

 

[21hens-incharge]

You can add bird netting to your run. It may only delay them. It could totally stop them.

My more experienced hens manage to catch, kill and consume a squirrel every now and then.

 

[SueT]

I have rabbits squeezing in and raiding feed. The chickens do chase them away, but a couple of the rabbits are determined. They only get into the small bowls of fermented feed i leave outside. The hanging feeders are in the coop out of reach. I have to bring all the feeders/bowls in our house for the night because of mice.
I am hoping that when I again allow our girls to free range, that the rabbits will help warn them of predators as I've seen them do in the past.

 

[Isabella F]

You can add bird netting to your run. It may only delay them. It could totally stop them.

My more experienced hens manage to catch, kill and consume a squirrel every now and then.

I have the whole top covered in netting.

 

[21hens-incharge]

However they are getting in should be addressed. If it means more wire or more netting that is what needs doing.

If they can get in so can other things.

We have lots of raccoons here. I don't worry because I added more wire. They walk all over my coop and run lid. They have not found a weakness in 7 years.

Make it strong!

 

[Molpet]

I put red pepper in the feed.. 1/8th to 1/4 teaspoon per bird... birds can't taste it but mammals can and most do not like it... also FYI if a squirrel or rabbit can get in the run so can a weasel and other smaller predators