Tell How Predators Got Your Chickens. Save Somebody Else From The Bad Experience

[harleyguy927]

This was my first year to raise chickens. I raised them from chicks. The run I built for them is about 25'x6' it has my garage on one side and on two sides is a 6' wood privacy fence. The front is 4' chain link fence with a gate. I built the chicken coop inside this area, and as soon as I was finished I took the chicks outside to check it out. It was the first time they had been outdoors. I only had two chicks at the time. I put them out there and ran back in to get my camera. A minute latter when I came out one chick was dead and the other injured and bleeding. I saw the neighbors cat climb over the fence and run off. My other chicks never set foot outside until I put netting over the run. I have since had several cats try to get in but none have succeeded. But I learned that it only takes a second to loose your flock!

 

[okallthis4eggs]

This was my first year to raise chickens. I raised them from chicks. The run I built for them is about 25'x6' it has my garage on one side and on two sides is a 6' wood privacy fence. The front is 4' chain link fence with a gate. I built the chicken coop inside this area, and as soon as I was finished I took the chicks outside to check it out. It was the first time they had been outdoors. I only had two chicks at the time. I put them out there and ran back in to get my camera. A minute latter when I came out one chick was dead and the other injured and bleeding. I saw the neighbors car climb over the fence and run off. My other chicks never set foot outside until I put netting over the run. I have since had several cats try to get in but none have succeeded. But I learned that it only takes a second to loose your flock!

I have heard that before. Those Jaguar's are bad about that. Put stop strips around the top of your run. That should help

 

[harleyguy927]

I have heard that before. Those Jaguar's are bad about that. Put stop strips around the top of your run. That should help

What is a stop strip??

 

[harleyguy927]

What is a stop strip??

Hahaha, I get it...lol. my stupid touch screen phone with auto correct!...lol. that's funny. Dam car!

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

You can also string treble hooks around the top as well, but that's not very humane is it. I have had owls take chickens right out of thick trees, you'd think they'd be ok, but they are just in convienent snatching range. Cars can be a menance also, I mean cats...they can easily kill a chicken just for fun, well fed or not. I think it depends on the cat, but I've buried some pretty ugly ones out here...and they poo in the dust bath spots...that in itself is enough for a shotgun.

 

[chickortreat]

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[okallthis4eggs]

Hahaha, I get it...lol. my stupid touch screen phone with auto correct!...lol. that's funny. Dam car!

So that was supposed to say "cat" instead of car? I was wondering......

 

[harleyguy927]

You can also string treble hooks around the top as well, but that's not very humane is it. I have had owls take chickens right out of thick trees, you'd think they'd be ok, but they are just in convienent snatching range. Cars can be a menance also, I mean cats...they can easily kill a chicken just for fun, well fed or not. I think it depends on the cat, but I've buried some pretty ugly ones out here...and they poo in the dust bath spots...that in itself is enough for a shotgun.

My neighbors cats climb my trees and get on my roof to watch my chickens through the netting. They crap all over my roof!! Think I'm going to start setting some baited butterfly traps up there.

 

[upmycreek]

Wow.  I can certainly empathize.  I am so very sorry for your losses. 

We just have to get that covered run built.  We're stretched hard financially right now till we can sell a house hubby renovated but I don't want to wait and lose what we have invested emotionally and financially in our birds.  I'm probably too attached to all my animals/birds.  Just about lost our 17 yo cat in the heat last week, too.

But we're about chickens here.  So.  I need a enclosed run, too, and I want it as big as I can convince DH with some kind of shade. Then I want to clutter up the rest of the run (no roof)...which has some trees in the very back...with lots of obstacles (a trip to the dump might get me some "finds") and places they can run into and hide. 

DH says he wants to plant apple trees in the run, too. I guess we love freedom ourselves and want to give the girls what makes them happy but they're like kids and have to be protected. I am open to any suggestions.   Thaks

I don't have too many clutter suggestions... Don't think you can go wrong with hiding places though... Mine hide in just about anything... My rabbit carrier was the nesting box of choice enforce they were confined. It's in the new run and there are 4 cochin chicks crammed in there sleeping right now. I guess I'd suggest maybe some hardy low shrubs and tough plants... Don't know what your growing zone is, but my bantam cochins did an incredible job of hiding under our hostas and tall loriope grass and in the branches of the clethra bushes when the hawk was flying around the other day.

Also I'd be interested in hearing others comments on this, but a DNR agent told me to buy a dummy owl with a bobble headand move it around outside my run every now and again.

I'm going to hang the CD's as others had suggested and I just bought poultry netting off of eBay for a reasonable price. I know what you mean about keeping costs down... I got lucky salvaging chain linked fence from an old dog kennel that a tree fell on. Anyways, Good luck!

 

[Missa Chickabee]

I don't have too many clutter suggestions... Don't think you can go wrong with hiding places though... Mine hide in just about anything... My rabbit carrier was the nesting box of choice enforce they were confined. It's in the new run and there are 4 cochin chicks crammed in there sleeping right now. I guess I'd suggest maybe some hardy low shrubs and tough plants... Don't know what your growing zone is, but my bantam cochins did an incredible job of hiding under our hostas and tall loriope grass and in the branches of the clethra bushes when the hawk was flying around the other day.
Also I'd be interested in hearing others comments on this, but a DNR agent told me to buy a dummy owl with a bobble headand move it around outside my run every now and again.
I'm going to hang the CD's as others had suggested and I just bought poultry netting off of eBay for a reasonable price. I know what you mean about keeping costs down... I got lucky salvaging chain linked fence from an old dog kennel that a tree fell on. Anyways, Good luck!

Thanks much for your reply. I'm going to get on this today.