What are your strategies for protection from predators?

[Chickenpannts]

We live in Nevada open to the desert and have an acre. I let my chickens roam my enclosed yard, which is a high risk of course. I feel even if I build a big run I am going to want to let the girls explore, this is high risk to predators.

Its a risk I take cause I want the girls to roam and forage, but it would be nice to lower the risk a bit! I had two girls taken three years ago with no trace whatsoever and one was snatched last night and this one was a mess.

What are your strategies for letting your chickens be closer to free range, yet protected? Do you guys keep a dog out with your flock all day? night? Noise machines? water spraying sensor? electric fence?

I really want my girls to explore and be free range, I know this is a risk, but it seems like a lot of people do it too with slight success. I know we all loose a few to the cycle of life.

So how what ways do you protect your flock, what works? what doesn't? Do you find yourself in my situation?

Also I might just resort to a long run and they will just have to stay there and stay put. Is this what most people do?

I appreciate the help all!

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Welcome to the forum!

I think it really depends on the circumstances and the layout of your property. Obviously, you want a SECURE coop for night. What you need during the day really depends on what your challenges are. I'm assuming coyotes and hawks, neither of which you can really do much about if you're truly free ranging the flock.

Livestock guardian dogs can be a good deterrent for coyotes, but they're expensive and require a lot of training if you want them to be reliable and trustworthy. Pasturing with a moveable electric fence can also be a good option.

 

[Chickenpannts]

Ah yes! a movable coop would be perfect. I heard of that before, yet totally forgot this option!

Right now, my goofy golden lab , totally not a trained flock protector, hangs out with the girls and will at least let me know when something is around. It's the problem when my pup isn't out with them.

Thank you so much I appreciate the great advice!