Urban vs Rural

[Ole rooster]

To the predators all a house would be is a large square building and some fence around it on their stomping grounds. They or their kin were more than likely were in that area way before the subdivision was planned. Also remember this. To some, as has been seen on here, these predators are beautiful creatures that deserve eating your chickens. They feed um to encourage them to come around. These folks don't care about your chickens. They just love nature and the beauty of it. That's what they say anyway. It's still kill and eat to the predators. The only insulation provided between and the hens is you and how far are you willing to go to look after the hens. And number one there is the coop critter proof? Completely critter proof.

 

[desertdarlene]

I don't know how it is in Davis, but down here in San Diego, we have canyons and hillsides all throughout the city with just about anything you can imagine living there. I live in what's considered "mid-city" and we have coyotes, skunks, coons, just about every type of hawk, and even eagles have been seen. Cooper's hawks, for example, hide very well and are doing good in urban areas. We do have people who have chickens here with no problem, but they're not free ranged. I wouldn't cut corners.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I live in the center of a city with a population of about one million people in the greater metro area. We have the greatest density of Cooper's hawks anywhere in the world. We also have dogs, cats, skunks, raccoons, coyotes, bobcats and many other species of hawks and owls. None of these are deterred by the 6' wall around my property. The property next to mine has 8' walls and coyotes have been seen to jump over that as well. I agree with what others have said, don't cut corners with predator protection. You can look down near the bottom of my byc page and see what I've done to keep predators from my birds.

 

[bobbi-j]

Personally, I think urban "wildlife" (coons, fox, coyotes, etc) are more dangerous to your chickens than rural ones. Why? Because in a rural area, their natural prey is still available to them. They can hunt mice, gophers, whatever. In an urban setting their hunting grounds are backyards not fields and woods.

 

[boogiedog]

Ditto to all the above. I am in an urban area and ended up building a run that is wired in on all sides (1x1" welded), including the bottom. My whole yard is fenced in with 6' solid fencing to boot. AND I lock the ladies in a fortified coop at night (with 1/2 x 1/2" welded wire screwed to the frame around all windows. ) We have raccoons the size of dogs, not to mention many hawks, possum, rats...and mountain lion. It is not cheap to build a fortified run and coop, but I figure it is cheaper to build it once right rather than lose any ladies (which would be the worst of all) and have to rebuild the whole project.

I have seen Coopers land on my coop, redtails think about it, and have seen the raccoon footprints on the driveway. A poor mt lion was hit by a car less than a mile from my house. Some intrepid mice have made it in, but no real break ins yet, and hopefully never.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

wondering if I am better insulated just out of the fact that I live in an urban setting

I think there is more danger where you are due to predators being accustomed to humans, and the odds of encountering more dogs​

 

[kari_dawn]

Quote:
I think there is more danger where you are due to predators being accustomed to humans, and the odds of encountering more dogs

I totally agree. Wildlife desensitized to humans is far more dangerous.