Super Frustrated! Predators are figuring it out!

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

Yes, on my way to the store soon for hardware cloth! And that was the other part of the reason I havent used my dogs b/c im afraid they wont stay and my neighbor will shoot it. But I think I can work it out . Thank you guys soooo much!

 

[AHappychick]

I did the hardware cloth thing but i ALSO USE TWO HOT WIRE LINES (ONE AT 12 INCHED ABOVE THE GROUND THE OTHER AT 25 INCHES (opps caps) I have the electric lines on a timer that goes on at 10pm and off at 6 am. I know that there are still some coons out there but they dont bother my nimals anymore.

btw the electric fence is easy to instal PC and I did it is a day

 

[Brindlebtch]

Sounds like it is time to turn your coop and run into Ft. Knox! I'm serious.

 

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

Yeah..... it's getin to that point! On a good note i got a coon this morning! Retribution for momma hen has begun! Babies are all safe. Guess I may just pull them outta the house. Without momma hen, some of the other hens arent being so friendly. Guess I'll move the baby topic to another section.

 

[Buster52]

Quote:
A good dog doesn't need that. Just needs to be trained what its territory is, and it will defend that territory and everything on it.

I'd first train it not to kill chickens, then speak with the neighbors to let them know you are training it to protect your animals and so it needs to be outside, and that it might take a little while to train it. I think most good neighbors would understand as long is it isn't harming their animals. My neighbors worked with me on that and now she is just great about all of this.

But the electric fence might be a temporary training device on second thought, to help it learn its boundaries.

 

[citrusdreams]

Quote:
A good dog doesn't need that. Just needs to be trained what its territory is, and it will defend that territory and everything on it.

I'd first train it not to kill chickens, then speak with the neighbors to let them know you are training it to protect your animals and so it needs to be outside, and that it might take a little while to train it. I think most good neighbors would understand as long is it isn't harming their animals. My neighbors worked with me on that and now she is just great about all of this.

But the electric fence might be a temporary training device on second thought, to help it learn its boundaries.

That's what I was wondering: how do you teach the dog its territory and boundaries when you don't have fencing? I mean, my house dogs are invisible fence trained, and that works great. And of course, when my LGD is protecting a herd, they have their own fencing. But for someone without any fencing like the OP, how do you teach them their boundaries? It doesn't sound like there is fencing beyond the coop and pen, which is too small for a dog to reside in.

I don't know about all LGDs, but the great pyranese likes a BIG area to claim and his/her own. If you don't have a big enough area, he'll leave. He'll come back, but he will wander. You need some way to contain them or teach them their boundaries. At least that's my experience with a GP and mine is worth his weight in gold.

It obviously can't take a "good dog" to learn it's boundaries efficiently, or we wouldn't all be having roaming dog problems. It has to be in the training, and I just don't know a way to teach boundaries to a dog without some kind of fencing. Even if it's temporary, you need some kind of fencing while they're being trained.

 

[Big Chicken Little]

One other thing you might try is a radio ... talk radio.. sure did wonders to keep the critters away around here. You can find cheap ones at the goodwill for 2-3 dollars. No power use batteries and get the rechargeable ones and keep it going ...best of luck

 

[StormyRidgeChixLady]

i like the radio idea, pretty good!

 

[Renee]

Hey StormyRidgeChixLady,
No need to feel guilty. They call it "chicken wire" for goodness sakes. I was surprised to learn that it was not strong enough to keep raccoons out too.

Hardware cloth also costs more money. I was surprised at how expensive it is.

 

[AK Michelle]

We play radios round the clock to keep the predatory birds away. Wonder what coons would think about a little classic rock?