The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Shan30]

Sorry about this, Shan,  you know the little wooden strips with nails that carpet layers use to tack down the carpet?   Somebody on here uses them on all wooden posts and areas that bears go for.  Seems to deter them.  I don't know.  I'm in deep south and no bears.   Good luck   

Interesting idea, maybe horizontal strips? Around nose height...

Wish I didn't hate donkey noises as I bet that would take care of it. Then again that involves perimeter fencing a large area of the property and just veggie garden fence took forever when you have to drill into rock to put up a post.

 

[LindaB220]

BLACK BEARS are known to have killed more people than all others combined.

We have a black bear problem in Northern Kentucky and it seems to be an over-flow from the more serious problem across the state line of West Virginia. People there (and I'm sure in Kentucky) have been feeding the bears for so long that they have lost their fear of people, dogs and just about everything else. It's against the law to feed wildlife in these states but people seem to think it's 'cute' to watch the sows with cubs, play in their pools and look so friendly...as long as they are well fed. These are 'city folks', for the most part with a few areas surrounding Charleston WV that are considered the worst offenders though they are somewhat rural...the areas of Paint Creek and Cabin Creek are two of the worst. Bears have begun to invade homes and take what was given to them freely when they were young (black bears can live to mid 20's to 30 years). Few dwellings are BEAR PROOF, if the things really wants to get in!!!

Turk, that is just down right scary. I wonder what will happen when food gets scarce?

 

[LakeMomNY]

 
However, the overwhelming majority of us can make our own. All you need is a place where you can burn stuff, and it doesn't have to be a big place. And old grill or bbq cooker will do. If you find yourself in the unenviable position of living in an apartment where even small patio grills are not allowed, then I weep for you, but you're going to have to just find someone who is willing to do this for you. Oh look, here I am! PM me and we'll work it out. Not kidding.

Thoroughly amused by the theoretical apartment where you CAN keep chickens but CANNOT have a grill.

 

[Turk Raphael]

Turk, that is just down right scary. I wonder what will happen when food gets scarce?

There have been major problems over the last few years. DNR and State Police have stepped up monitoring people who have been habitual feeders and assessing very large fines but many still feed them covertly.

There have been many 'home invasions' by the bears and a few people have had to shoot bears in their own homes. The bad thing is, they will break/enter ANY home where they smell food, not just those of 'feeders'.

And FYI Linda..... Louisiana has a small but thriving bear population....Don't be too secure...

http://www.nola.com/pets/index.ssf/2010/09/louisiana_black_bears_are_coun.html


Darn...just heard on the news...a hiker in New Jersey was killed by a 300 pound black bear...yesterday I think..Too bad I won't be able to go on our annual bear hunt in West Virginia this year....I plan to be a world away and in a much warmer place.

 

[lazy gardener]

Shan, I'd suggest that you try electric fencing. Most predators are opportunists, and will move on to easier meals if things are uncomfortable for them. Premier sells electric poultry netting that will pack quite a punch. A bit of peanut butter smeared on the fence at nose height will give those bears something to think about.

 

[Shan30]

Shan, I'd suggest that you try electric fencing.  Most predators are opportunists, and will move on to easier meals if things are uncomfortable for them.  Premier sells electric poultry netting that will pack quite a punch.  A bit of peanut butter smeared on the fence at nose height will give those bears something to think about.  

We have looked at this and may revisit the idea. I would want to keep out existing fence and do this outside of the existing fence. Main problems would be clearing a ton of bushes, small trees, wild roses and salal that our fences run through and the fact that we could not stake it down the way it is supposed to work. Might try the traditional stranded style with a few strands at bear height.

 

[Lacy Blues]

You could just get some insulators to attach to whatever kind of post you have. They have them so you can set the electric wire up to about 5 or 6 inches off your post. You would just have to clear a little more brush away from your fence line and then keep it cleared as the weeds growing up and touching your wires would cause them to short out and be of no affect.

 

[LindaB220]

There have been major problems over the last few years. DNR and State Police have stepped up monitoring people who have been habitual feeders and assessing very large fines but many still feed them covertly.

There have been many 'home invasions' by the bears and a few people have had to shoot bears in their own homes. The bad thing is, they will break/enter ANY home where they smell food, not just those of 'feeders'.

And FYI Linda..... Louisiana has a small but thriving bear population....Don't be too secure...

http://www.nola.com/pets/index.ssf/2010/09/louisiana_black_bears_are_coun.html

That's the ticket. Make me feel secure.

More hardware cloth.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I don't think that hardware cloth would stop a bear....just sayin....

 

[BlueMouse]

around here we can have bear problems with beehives. The only thing that stops them is a good stout electric fence. Not that they can't get through it, but it's far too much trouble.

And I had a scare with a fox dragging chickens out. I can hardly imagine a BEAR.


Leahsmom, (it was you who asked about the drops? I'm too lazy to go back and look)
I've just been giving her liquid polyvisol and vit. E capsules. With sunflower seeds and wheat germ for the thiamine. And I got the nutridrench and put it in her water for a week.