That's it for me-bears

[homestead 101]

Well to day I have decided to not get any more chickens. The lose of my eight young hens is all I need to shut me down. It's been an emotional day, I woke up and noticed that our garbage was torn apart, so I walked by and looked at all my animals, my rabbits, chickens were not as I left them. Instead they were on the grass in pieces. My two mom rabbits were all gone. I think I saw one of the non developed baby's on the grass. It's just been such a heartbreaking day. What do u guys think I should do, I just can't take the lose of any more animals. I was so attached to them and now there gone. Please give me support in my time of grief

 

[QueenMisha]

So sorry for your loss. I spent several years of my childhood waking up regularly to my coops torn apart and my birds dead. The day that bear was shot was one of the most relieving days of my life. Bears are truly the most destructive predator. The only thing you can do is build a truly strong coop; concrete pillars with a "cage" made of hog panels surrounding the coop has worked for me.

 

[bobbi-j]

That is discouraging. People in the northern part of my state put electric wire around their beehives to keep the bears out. Our friends in Alaska have their chicken enclosure surrounded by several strands of electrified cord-like material to keep them safe from the brown bears. It's hard to lose your whole flock, and you are the only one who can decide if you're going to replace them. Every time we lose a dog, I tearfully tell my husband, "I can't get another one - it's jus too hard!" I'm usually looking for another one within a few weeks...

 

[Folly's place]

So sorry for your loss, it's really hard. Every time we have a disaster, we learn something and do better the next time. All the best, Mary

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Wow, That's really hard! I am sorry for your loss.

I am close to my animals also. When I lost 1 really special to me I thought I would get no more pets. But then I realized I didn't wanna live without the joy they bring everyday. So even though loss is excruciating, I know I will forever pursue the joy that out weighs the pain of having pets.

I hope your heart heals.

Electric fence is a good suggestion.

 

[bigoledude]

I can't even imagine having to deal with a predator with the size and strength of a bear! I've read where a bear is one of the toughest animals to stop with an electric fence or wire because of their fur being a good insulator and the snowshoe-like effect their feet have in the way they contact the ground. I've also read where if you're lucky and they touch the wire with their nose, they take off heading for the hills! Maybe give them something to sniff on the fence?

A heavy hoofed animal makes very good contact with the ground. This is why cattle, hogs and other hoofed animals react so dramatically to an electric fence.

Anyone who's had animals killed by a predator knows what your going through! It's tough and we sympathize with you.