temporary fencing to keep out predators?

[emmash]

Hi everyone! So as some background, I've had the same set up for my flock of ten hens for three years now: an above ground coop with about 30'x20' of pen room. The ground in the pen is very hard and has lots of pebbles on top, so I like to let them out into my backyard at least once a week to free range and scratch around. My backyard is connected to a creek system/ wooded area, so I like to watch them while they're out so they can stay safe. I've never had any problems with predators before and only let them out for an hour or two at a time. However last week when I was letting them out, a bobcat came and attacked the group. It killed and took one hen into the woods, though thankfully didn't hurt any of the others. It was very painful to lose her and now I'm afraid of losing another the same way.

I don't want to let them out again because the bobcat might come back, but the flock looks so miserable locked up in their pen all day; there's nowhere to bathe and no bugs or greens to eat. Expanding the pen permanently is not an option, but I was thinking of making a temporary fencing area that is connected to their current pen and that I could put up for a few hours each day, like a wire or netting fence that rolls up. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions on something that would keep my babies safe?

 

[sourland]

A temporary pen of electric fencing or surrounded by hot wire might work. Bottom line is that the bobcat WILL return.

 

[mcdze]

i'd keep a gun ready to fix that problem first opportunity you get ... in the meantime as said above running an electric wire can work quite well, but imo to be most effective you need to plan it long term .. points to consider - it needs to be low enough to work on a cat, probably around 8" .. it needs to be run on a perimeter where its not in the way and you can upkeep it with a weed whacker .. and it needs to be on all the time .. eventually local predators wont cross it ( neither will your chickens lol) , but they can and will get over or under it randomly .. it just needs to get them good once or twice but as said, if its not on as a regular part of your setup all the time it wont work near as good ... so a decent fence charger, a spool of aluminum wire, and some plastic garden stakes should do the trick and wont set you back too much ..

 

[cmom]

The bobcat knows there are birds and will be back. You may never see it and you may have missing birds. They lurk and look for an opportunity. I know you said enlarging your pen is not an option but I don't see any other way. I also have electric wires around my pens. I covered all of my pens because of aerial predators and concrete under the gates, all due to lossses from predators in the past. I put things in the pens for the birds. Give them some alfalfa to scratch through. They also will eat the alfalfa leaves. Sometimes I give the birds flock blocks to peck at. Since my birds are rarely out free ranging because my land is mostly open pasture so no place to hide. When a fox got my favorite bird (Gladys) that was the last straw. Now if the birds do get out they try to find a way to get back in. They have nice large shady pens. Luckily I have the room. Good luck.

 

[Humpy]

Hi everyone! So as some background, I've had the same set up for my flock of ten hens for three years now: an above ground coop with about 30'x20' of pen room. The ground in the pen is very hard and has lots of pebbles on top, so I like to let them out into my backyard at least once a week to free range and scratch around. My backyard is connected to a creek system/ wooded area, so I like to watch them while they're out so they can stay safe. I've never had any problems with predators before and only let them out for an hour or two at a time. However last week when I was letting them out, a bobcat came and attacked the group. It killed and took one hen into the woods, though thankfully didn't hurt any of the others. It was very painful to lose her and now I'm afraid of losing another the same way.

I don't want to let them out again because the bobcat might come back, but the flock looks so miserable locked up in their pen all day; there's nowhere to bathe and no bugs or greens to eat. Expanding the pen permanently is not an option, but I was thinking of making a temporary fencing area that is connected to their current pen and that I could put up for a few hours each day, like a wire or netting fence that rolls up. Does anyone have any experience or suggestions on something that would keep my babies safe?

You can make or buy one of those movable sleds that are entirely fenced in and you can push around on skids in the yard.