Washingtonians Come Together! Washington Peeps

[Hinotori]

Oh and thin little bird netting like you can buy at the hardware store isn't going to stop a chicken from getting out (experience there), much less a hawk from getting in. Get aviary netting or something else heavier like this.

http://www.amazon.com/Bestdealdepot...qid=1426282873&sr=8-3&keywords=aviary+netting

 

[JennysHens]

Thanks, Hinotori. I'll definitely get the more durable mesh then, don't want to take any risks.

 

[ParklandPoultry]

I just ordered three "pairs" of buff goslings from Tani Creek. Thank you for the advice.

 

[ochochicas]

I don't worry about areal predators during the day, but at night the owls will come in and kill chickens. My chickens are closed in to a coop with a solid roof and cement floor at night. I've never lost one to a hawk or eagle. My chickens have a lot of cover and usually stay pretty close to the trees or barn. The one time a hawk was flying over the pasture, the rooster warned everyone and they hid under something.

 

[catface]

Question for you WA folks - do you worry at all about aerial predators with your chickens? I'm finishing building my coop/run and am putting up 3-4' high (haven't been to the hardware store yet to see what they have) fencing up for a run and I'm going to reinforce and skirt it with hardware cloth. My question is if I should invest in bird netting for the top to keep aerial predators out? The only birds of prey I've seen around are sharp shinned and coopers hawks with the occasional eagle off in the distance. We have neighbors a block down who has chickens free-roaming on their property that I've seen and I'm sure there are plenty of others, we live in the last little pocket of suburban houses before it turns into dairy farms and rural space. Just want to keep my gals safe! I'm also a little worried about feral cats as there are quite a few in the area (crazy old lady 5 houses down feeds them), but I don't know if bird netting will be enough to stop them. People I've talked to out here say they've never had cats go after their hens, just racoons really and the occasional fox but you never know

I live in an area with a ton of feral tomcats. I've had them come into my yard over the fence and never once look at the chickens. I have had a hawk issue this year but I've learned they are done hunting by noon so I just never let the birds out of the coops until then. Coons are my biggest issue but thankfully where I live they still have a healthy fear of people and populated, well lit areas and if I keep a light on near the coops at nigh they stay away.

 

[JennysHens]

I live in an area with a ton of feral tomcats. I've had them come into my yard over the fence and never once look at the chickens. I have had a hawk issue this year but I've learned they are done hunting by noon so I just never let the birds out of the coops until then. Coons are my biggest issue but thankfully where I live they still have a healthy fear of people and populated, well lit areas and if I keep a light on near the coops at nigh they stay away.

Glad to hear no problems with cats. I suspect they'll consider the hens too big to be easy prey, plus I also turn the dog loose whenever I see them in the yard to run them off haha I've also got canned air with motion sensors I'll put out there if I need to, scare the bajeesus out of em! Sure keeps my indoor cats off the counters! Generally, they're not in my yard during the day, just at night when they poop in my raised garden bed

But at night they'll be closed up in a secure coop. Since the neighbors also feed them, I also don't think they'll be hungry enough for a big challenge prey wise, they go more for easy prey just for the sake of hunting, unfortunately... If it weren't for the hens, I'd trap the lot and get them fixed with the local feral cat maintenance charity group here so that they don't keep breeding and killing our local birds!

 

[catface]

Quote:
I tried to catch and spay/neuter the feral cats around here but they never go in the trap! I've caught my own cats, my Delaware hen, and a hawk in that live trap but never a cat. The hawk walking into a live trap to get a can of catfood really surprised me! I felt bad for him to be that hungry!

 

[JennysHens]

I tried to catch and spay/neuter the feral cats around here but they never go in the trap! I've caught my own cats, my Delaware hen, and a hawk in that live trap but never a cat. The hawk walking into a live trap to get a can of catfood really surprised me! I felt bad for him to be that hungry!

Oh wow - that's crazy! We nabbed quite a few in FL, my grandparents had a hoarder neighbor that let a colony take over her garage. Usually got the youngsters who didn't know better, plus PLENTY of raccoons. Can't imagine getting a hawk!

 

[cooliechick]

I have a friend who might duckling sit for you. PM me and I will send you her information.

 

[clawstar]

I'm thinking about getting some chickens this year..... But idk when... :/