totally new here! thoughts on coop design in predator land?

[Devorah]

As to bears? No fencing will stop them. We used to have a "patrol box" we took on camping trips with all our cooking gear in it, but NEVER any food. Someone closed it up with some strawberry jelly inside. Cute little FL black bear made a go at it (and FL Black Bear, like pretty much all wild FL animals, when compared to the rest of the nation, are on the small side). It left deep gouges in 3/4" plywood and bashed up the box pretty good.

No wire is going to stop a bear, though livestock fence may frustrate one. Add some hot wires, with at least a couple joules of electric potential behind them, and its usually enough to convince them to find an easier meal.

Many of us use a combination of deterrents as part of a system (yes, that word again) to help us manage risk.

I guess for me the question is which system (poultry netting inside paddock enclosing a smaller area, i.e., the run, or 3 wires of different heights around entire paddock) will be the most effective against predators. I get that there is little to defend against a bear — who may even be able to get inside the barn! — but I need to do whatever makes sense. Thank you!

 

[Devorah]

They won't touch the netting if the charger is hot enough and the grounding is good.

Some people bait their electric fence with bacon to make sure that the local predators are taught "Don't go here because it HURTS!" when they get their first shock on the sensitive mouth and nose.



Supposedly.

Thanks so much!!

 

[Liz Birdlover]

Hi there! I love your coop and run. Many people say not to put the food in the coop because it attracts little critters and the chickens should be eating outside. What has been your experience?

No wild critters have even tried to get into the coop, so far so good.
The pellet food is inside the coop, suspended feeders. The water is elevated a bit, on landscape blocks, near the feed. Everything stays clean inside & there have been no issues, no wood chips get blown into water by flapping wings, when it's elevated about 6 inches.

When I had water outside it got nasty too fast, chickens digging throwing dirt around & algae from sunshine.

It depends on how a coop is built. I opt for the most predator proof as possible. It's easy to keep clean.