This time the bear got inside the coop.

[azygous]

Over eight decades, I've faced much scarier things than bears. Much, MUCH scarier. Facing down humans with loaded weapons pointed at me for one. I'll take bears any day over scary humans who are the real wild beasts of this planet.

 

[SourRoses]

Oh. My.
Bears are one predator I really don't want to ever deal with (well, and gators).
How did the chickens all manage to survive that?
You are very very brave.

 

[azygous]

The wildlife officer was just here checking on things. He asked the same thing - how is it the bear didn't get a meal? The coop has two pop holes into the secure run and they managed to evade the bear and duck out through the two pop doors.

One young hen had what appeared to be delayed shock today. I treated her for it and she snapped right out of it and is fine. I feel very lucky none of my chickens were killed or injured.

He did have a good suggestion. He said to put the wheel barrow up on the stoop in front of the coop door with something that will make a lot of noise when he tips it over. I did that and added some little boards with screws standing with the sharp end up on the stoop so the bear will get some sore feet when her steps on them. It will be enough to take his mind off the chickens until I can grab my gun and go rumble with him.

 

[Folly's place]

So far we don't have black bears here, and I'm not sorry! Grew up in NW Wisconsin, and the bears there were very shy of humans, being hunted sometimes all year, legally, on the reservation. Also we didn't leave any food outside, and didn't have poultry.
Can't see myself out there facing off a bear, chickens or not.
Be safe!
Mary

 

[Saaniya]

You got lucky to have caught the bear in the act before he got any of your chicken's.

Bears are non vegetarian?

 

[McChooky]

The wildlife officer was just here checking on things. He asked the same thing - how is it the bear didn't get a meal? The coop has two pop holes into the secure run and they managed to evade the bear and duck out through the two pop doors.

One young hen had what appeared to be delayed shock today. I treated her for it and she snapped right out of it and is fine. I feel very lucky none of my chickens were killed or injured.

He did have a good suggestion. He said to put the wheel barrow up on the stoop in front of the coop door with something that will make a lot of noise when he tips it over. I did that and added some little boards with screws standing with the sharp end up on the stoop so the bear will get some sore feet when her steps on them. It will be enough to take his mind off the chickens until I can grab my gun and go rumble with him.

Dried cayenne pepper powder sprinkled on the ground around the coop or on the door or mixed with chicken feed will set it on fire when it walks on it or grabs anything with it on it or gets it on its mouth or inhales it .It burns the eyes!( I can vouch for what it does when it gets on your skin). Wear gloves & a mask. It won't hurt chickens & its a good deterrent!

Frontier Chili Peppers Ground, Cayenne 90,000 Hu, 16 Ounces​

 

[azygous]

Bears eat everything humans do and then some. They eat constantly and food is the main driver of their behavior. The hungrier they are the more damage they will inflict to get food. This bear is unseasonably aggressive, probably because there is little grass to eat due to drought, and too early for acorns.

Bears eat mostly grass, leaves, berries, and nuts since those are easiest to get. But when we want to trap a bear, a honey roasted pork shoulder is the attractant. A bear can smell it from a mile away and they literally throw themselves into the big trap and the steal door slams shut and then you can view a bear, a very disgusted bear, up close without any danger.

The bear did not come last night. We decided to wait and see on the trap.

 

[townchicks]

I find bears so scary. They are so powerful. It glad you and your chickens came through ok, and I hope he learned a lesson.

 

[peeper89]

wow!

 

[Denisea3465]

Oh my goodness!

Many moons ago, we lived in Evergreen, CO and we had ducks. My dad was always very, very cautious about letting me (at five years old) go out to my Heckel and Jeckel alone. We had a bear visit once, that I know of. It was about 20 feet away and that was QUITE close enough.

So scary and sorry for your coop but so glad you are all safe!