"Training" to follow?

[Flock Master64]

I've got mine "trained" to come when I call them and shake their snacks in their bowl, but I wouldn't rely on that to protect them from the predators. Mostly because I'm usually not near cover for them to be protected from predators.

I have mine trained like that too.

I agree with that. If there is a predator around they'll probably run looking for shelter instead of running to you for treats.

 

[barred2rock]

I have mine trained like that too.

I agree with that. If there is a predator around they'll probably run looking for shelter instead of running to you for treats.

I basically live in a forest, so there's lots of shelter. But we also have cats, house & wild.

 

[azygous]

I live one mountain range over from you, and I imagine we have all of the same predators. My chickens love to free range, but they only get to be out when I'm out. And, yes, they are trained to come when I signal them.

This hasn't stopped bears from coming in to make a try for my chickens in spite of me being right there. The bear is so focused on the chickens, it isn't even aware of me. Once I even walked right up to the bear, hollering at it, and not being able to get its attention, I dropped a ten pound rock on its back. It finally took notice of me, and luckily decided to leave rather than eat me. Another bear a few years later charged me trying to get to my chickens. I was lucky I was fast enough to duck into the run and close the gate just as the bear reached the run. It proceeded to snarl and tried to get into the run as I screamed at it and pounded the fenced with my fists trying to scare it off.

Another time, a hawk dive-bombed my chickens who were right at my feet as I was peeling logs exposing bark beetles for them to eat. A few weeks ago, another hawk dove at my chickens who were romping just outside my bedroom slider. I was inches away.

A good friend who lived a few miles from me was out with her chickens when a bobcat zoomed in and snatched her hen who was right at her feet.

The only time I'm certain my chickens are safe is when they are enclosed in their covered run with the hot wire charged. When I'm in the run during bear season, I have finally learned to keep a can of pepper spray always handy.

Don't even bring up the topic of guns. There has never been an opportunity to run into the house and get the gun in any of my encounters with predators. But a can of pepper spray in five different locations assures I will have it handy should I need it. But the worst predator is hawks, and pepper spray isn't any good against them.

 

[barred2rock]

I live one mountain range over from you, and I imagine we have all of the same predators. My chickens love to free range, but they only get to be out when I'm out. And, yes, they are trained to come when I signal them.

This hasn't stopped bears from coming in to make a try for my chickens in spite of me being right there. The bear is so focused on the chickens, it isn't even aware of me. Once I even walked right up to the bear, hollering at it, and not being able to get its attention, I dropped a ten pound rock on its back. It finally took notice of me, and luckily decided to leave rather than eat me. Another bear a few years later charged me trying to get to my chickens. I was lucky I was fast enough to duck into the run and close the gate just as the bear reached the run. It proceeded to snarl and tried to get into the run as I screamed at it and pounded the fenced with my fists trying to scare it off.

Another time, a hawk dive-bombed my chickens who were right at my feet as I was peeling logs exposing bark beetles for them to eat. A few weeks ago, another hawk dove at my chickens who were romping just outside my bedroom slider. I was inches away.

A good friend who lived a few miles from me was out with her chickens when a bobcat zoomed in and snatched her hen who was right at her feet.

The only time I'm certain my chickens are safe is when they are enclosed in their covered run with the hot wire charged. When I'm in the run during bear season, I have finally learned to keep a can of pepper spray always handy.

Don't even bring up the topic of guns. There has never been an opportunity to run into the house and get the gun in any of my encounters with predators. But a can of pepper spray in five different locations assures I will have it handy should I need it. But the worst predator is hawks, and pepper spray isn't any good against them.

Howdy neighbor!

It's nice to have someone around that knows the local area. Thanks for the input, seems you're a bit braver than I.

 

[Barbwire54]

I live one mountain range over from you, and I imagine we have all of the same predators. My chickens love to free range, but they only get to be out when I'm out. And, yes, they are trained to come when I signal them.

This hasn't stopped bears from coming in to make a try for my chickens in spite of me being right there. The bear is so focused on the chickens, it isn't even aware of me. Once I even walked right up to the bear, hollering at it, and not being able to get its attention, I dropped a ten pound rock on its back. It finally took notice of me, and luckily decided to leave rather than eat me. Another bear a few years later charged me trying to get to my chickens. I was lucky I was fast enough to duck into the run and close the gate just as the bear reached the run. It proceeded to snarl and tried to get into the run as I screamed at it and pounded the fenced with my fists trying to scare it off.

Another time, a hawk dive-bombed my chickens who were right at my feet as I was peeling logs exposing bark beetles for them to eat. A few weeks ago, another hawk dove at my chickens who were romping just outside my bedroom slider. I was inches away.

A good friend who lived a few miles from me was out with her chickens when a bobcat zoomed in and snatched her hen who was right at her feet.

The only time I'm certain my chickens are safe is when they are enclosed in their covered run with the hot wire charged. When I'm in the run during bear season, I have finally learned to keep a can of pepper spray always handy.

Don't even bring up the topic of guns. There has never been an opportunity to run into the house and get the gun in any of my encounters with predators. But a can of pepper spray in five different locations assures I will have it handy should I need it. But the worst predator is hawks, and pepper spray isn't any good against them.

Holy cow!! You need more than pepper spray. I've been threatening to get the big cans of bear spray, but you need a few for sure. Here I am in the Talladega National Forest thinking I'm fighting off the wilderness with coyotes and snakes, but you, my dear, are truly in the wilderness!