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

[marianne7]

Wow,just reading some of the info on this site make me shudder, I live in the UK, we only have to worry about foxes, and perhaps Hawks, but if you buy a purpose build Pen, with Fox proof mesh to go round the edge to stop them digging, the only other thing we have to be concerned about is mites.....but Racoons, Coyottes, Bears....goodness, you guys in the USA have a lot to put up with predators, most of my friends who own and breed chickens and ducks just automatically by purpose built Pens, saves such a lot of bother...We even have automatic doors on our coops that are timed to let our chucks out and closes when they have gone to bed...These pens are great because they keep anything out dogs, cats, rats etc.....must be really concerning with all problems you could have- heres to you USA, Well done for all the hard work you go to, to protect your chucks. really glad to hear it

- Marianne

 

[okallthis4eggs]

Wow,just reading some of the info on this site make me shudder, I live in the UK, we only have to worry about foxes, and perhaps Hawks, but if you buy a purpose build Pen, with Fox proof mesh to go round the edge to stop them digging, the only other thing we have to be concerned about is mites.....but Racoons, Coyottes, Bears....goodness, you guys in the USA have a lot to put up with predators, most of my friends who own and breed chickens and ducks just automatically by purpose built Pens, saves such a lot of bother...We even have automatic doors on our coops that are timed to let our chucks out and closes when they have gone to bed...These pens are great because they keep anything out dogs, cats, rats etc.....must be really concerning with all problems you could have- heres to you USA, Well done for all the hard work you go to, to protect your chucks. really glad to hear it

- Marianne

Thanks Marianne. You folks in the UK are lucky for that part. Thats the purpose for this thread to inform people with chickens what could happen if certain precautions are not taken to protect their flock. The goal is to save as many chickens as possible and to spare the ones who love their chickens the dreaded heartache from losing them. Thanks for your input

 

[bruceha2000]

That's the purpose for this thread to inform people with chickens what could happen if certain precautions are not taken to protect their flock. The goal is to save as many chickens as possible and to spare the ones who love their chickens the dreaded heartache from losing them.

And I think it works

My coop is a converted OLD horse stall. It already had either 2"x4" welded wire or chicken wire over the openings above the walls. Plus I found the perfect "people door" in the barn, also covered with 2"x4" welded wire. GOLDEN! Only have to replace the stall door with the people door and fashion a chicken door on the side.

Then I started reading this thread. I covered every non plywood area, including the joists for the floor above, with 1/2" hardware cloth (Amazon - 3'x100' roll, free shipping). Left the original wire. Too much work to take it down and having extra can't hurt!

I also put hardware cloth under the wall from the alley into the coop under the horse mats. Anything that tunnels under the wire will find a "roof" of 3/4" rubber mat.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Don't forget bobcats. Now that's a skillful hunter. I wish I had all my fence up so i could let the dogs out full time...as it is now, with an electric collar I can keep them from visiting the next county,but all kitty kitty has to do is climb a tree...and take a nap cause I ain't walking down through all that. I wonder if there are snakes in the UK. Food must be getting scarce cause the hawks are more frequent for me, maybe it's all the little chicks I have now...must look tasty.

 

[marianne7]

Don't forget bobcats. Now that's a skillful hunter. I wish I had all my fence up so i could let the dogs out full time...as it is now, with an electric collar I can keep them from visiting the next county,but all kitty kitty has to do is climb a tree...and take a nap cause I ain't walking down through all that. I wonder if there are snakes in the UK. Food must be getting scarce cause the hawks are more frequent for me, maybe it's all the little chicks I have now...must look tasty.

To answer your question, yes we do have snakes in the UK, They are never usually around were people are, usually in woodland and forest type areas. Most people in the Uk have predator proof pens because of foxes, I have to say I have never heard of my chuck friends and breeders ever having a problem with snakes.....

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

I pulled a six foot black rat snake out of my nest box just wolfing down eggs....gross. but then I am in the middle of the woods.

 

[marianne7]

I pulled a six foot black rat snake out of my nest box just wolfing down eggs....gross. but then I am in the middle of the woods.

You have got to be kidding me.....I would have freaked out....

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Uh huh...exactly...and on the shelf just above my broody was sitting on a clutch of eggs!, I always look before sticking my hand in there to get eggs, heck, I LOOK anyway now anytime I go in there. :/

 

[LR Gamefarm]

i lost 10 of my 23 birds to cougar that was i dont know how was getting them mainly how i got rid of it one day it was actually laying in my yard at first i just thought it was a cat till i saw it's tail so i shot it right in the eye and after that i never seen it again

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Hey! L and L, didn't you just get scolded on another thread for that? Haha. If only I could see the bobcat hanging around here I would give the taxidermist some business, not the local pound.