Suggestions to keep predators away?

[StephMagee]

We just move our ducks outside. Last night was the first night outside all night for them. Everything is still a work in progress. The whole area is fenced in. The orange fencing is temporary until we get more of the green fencing. The dog kennel is also in the fenced in area and has tin on top and then on all the sides besides the front. The side that doesn't have tin on it in the pic does now. We put them in the kennel at night and during the day when were not home so we can keep an eye on them. Then when we get home from work we let them out and they wander around and can swim in the pond(which is a work in progress as well) and then tonight before we go to bed we will lock them in the kennel. Just would like to see if there are any suggestions to keep predators out or away. I'd like for them to be able to come out of the kennel when were not home, but not sure if anything would get them. Any suggestions would be great!

 

[Amiga]

For now, make sure that at night they are in a shelter that has half inch metal hardware cloth over all openings.

I am not sure what the tin on top is, I do know that raccoons can climb and reach through gaps and they can actually bend some softer, thinner metals. Don't want to upset you but raccoons will reach through a gap in the fence and pull the duck out piece by piece.

Electric fencing can help, one strand 4 to 6 inches above ground, another about a foot above ground, another at 2 feet.

That orange fencing, is that like silt fence? That is not going to keep much of anything away from the ducks, and so many predators go after ducks.

Coated woven wire is good, with half inch metal hardware cloth or 1 inch coated chicken wire along the bottom two feet, with either a fence skirt or fence underneath the inside of the shelter to prevent digging under is good, too.

 

[MarysAviaryHeartAndZoo]

 

[Tivona]

I too have (and love) a chain link pen but I have to warn you, check and fix the rounded corners of the chain link gate plus at the corners where the sides come together as well as where the roof attaches! I use a very similar pen with a similar roof and I had a small coon get in the first year I had it and the coon killed 6 birds. The only place it could have come in is either where the door has curved corners and the fence section is squared, or possibly at a corner where the sides came together creating a V at the top because of the rounded corners of the panels.

Once I fixed the door corners and made sure there was no place big enough to fit a fist its worked great and been very secure and I have had it for years now with no further break ins. I also recommend that something for at least the first few feet near the ground must be something more then the chain link. Amiga is right about coons killing by reaching in. I haven't personally had it happen but just down the road from me someone lost birds that way. I have more metal roofing to block some of the lower sides of mine. It also cuts the breeze, acting as a wind break. My door is just covered with more wire to prevent coons from reaching it. Its a solid pen but must be fixed so nothing the size of a fist can get in. The rounded corners were my pens weakness but once that was fixed its been great.

 

[jtn42248]

All of the above and bury wire around the perimeter, wire across the top of the run to keep out flying predators. Flashing red lights help some for larger predators at night. We have raccoon, coyotes, bobcats, armadillos, hawks, and occasional Golden Eagle, snakes of various sorts here where I live and so far I have only had to kill two raccoon and a rattle snake. My birds are inside a metal coop with concrete floor at night, contained in chain link runs covered with wire during the day. They only "free" range when I am out with them three or four times a day for an hour or so at a time. I know that how ever thorough and smart my protections are there is a smarter more clever predator out there.

 

[Going Quackers]

I have a few kennel pens here main thing is coons can reach n grab so at least 2-3ft of strong wire run along the bottom to keep that at bay... air preds are of concern but that depends on your area and the size of your birds.

Basically, you have to think like a predator what could i do to get those ducks, evaluate your predator risk WHO Is out there? for myself, i have a plethora bears, coons, pumas, foxes, wolves, coyote and onward...

I opt to lock my birds in housing to reduce my risk.. i also like solar lights about and do own some flashing pred lights that are red from nite guard.

 

[TwoDogFarm]

We put an electric garden fence around our coop (our coop is one of those chain link dog kennels). We also put bird netting over the top of the whole thing to keep hawks from flying in. We are mainly concerned with coyotes and raccoons as ground predators where we are, but we have also had a possum try to get in the coop a couple of months ago. I'm not sure if possums will eat ducks too, but our ducks are in with our chickens and I know they kill chickens.

 

[StephMagee]

Thanks for all the suggestions. The orange fencing is temporary because we ran out of the other fencing and that's all we had laying around. They are kept locked in the kennel at night and during the day when were not home. When were home they are let out so we can keep an eye on them because we know the orange fencing especially isn't going to keep anything out. Plus there's always a dog out(I have 3) to help with that until we get it better.

 

[Onlyducks]

I use the orange fence in addition to the chicken wire fencing around my pen. It blocks wind and adds a layer of protection. It is buried maybe six inches into the ground to help keep out predators.


I also use it on top. I don't have racoons very often, mostly neighbor dogs, eagles, cats and foxes. Also, even if you are outside with the ducks, a predator can still snag a duck and run before you can react. I'm not saying you should not allow the ducks out—my free range when I'm home—but be aware that predators are very quick and very efficient. The dogs should help with scaring away predators.

Your set-up looks nice so far. You should have happy ducks!

 

[TwoDogFarm]

I've heard that donkies are good flock protectors and know of some people who have one in with their chickens and ducks.