What can Protect My Free Range Hens?

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
Ann, I am so sorry for your losses. I am in Suffield and we have lost at least four to coyotes in the past two months ourselves. We're going into our third year of chicken-keeping, have always let them free-range and have NEVER seen anything like the coyote problem we are having this year. What is going on in Connecticut?

We certainly aren't taking it lying down either. We've got a plan and the "supplies" to employ that plan. I was literally JUST reading up on llamas as guard animals.

Best wishes in re-building your flock and getting the bad guys.

 

[Whittni]

Thanks everybody. I'm a little to worried to put up this fence now...what if I did smaller pens that were all caged in? Or if I got some new additions, big roosters to flock....that's going to help? I have no idea where the heck I would get a llama...I can get goats though, big goats...?

 

[phasian]

I have a very large run as well as some smaller ones for breeding, juveniles, etc. but do let my birds range on our land as well. My larger runs are too large and have mature trees growing in them which makes netting them in impractical. Until I came to an understanding with my neighbours about their free roaming dogs, I had some avoidable losses. Now that the dogs are under control, I lose a bird- typically a bold, bantam rooster to a hawk on the rare occasion.

I think the quality of life my poultry have is rich and I am willing to risk some loss to see them healthy and happy. They have a range of stimuli and food stuffs available that is ripe for them to explore. The benefit to the farm in pest reduction, soil turning, and manure distribution is wonderful. They do have to remain in the pens during strawberry season or when there is a lot of extra activity on the farm. They are always securely tucked into their henhouses at night.

I recently visited another poultry enthusiast who has all her chickens in a large, dark barn in wire cages. It was disheartening to me to see birds without access to sunlight, fresh air, and a place to scratch. She is an exhibitor with some champion birds, but their quality of life appeared pretty poor to me and she still had problems with predators finding their way into this "secure" housing.

My best protectors from aerial attack have been my guinea fowl. They literally start shrilly screaming when they see a raptor. This clues the flock in very quickly to take cover. The roosters have been helpful, but often will dare a raptor-- and they almost always lose this challenge.

 

[Whittni]

(Thank You!) How many guineas would help? I also think I forgot to mention I have 1 male and 1 female turkey.

 

[7L Farm]

I agree with having places for the chickens to hide under. I have trucks, tractors, trailers, scattered around for them to escape under if need be.

 

[Whittni]

Quote:
Um...

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I can get goats though, big goats...?

Goats won't "protect" anything.

They need protecting themselves.

Nothing is going to keep hawks away, but the odds of losing a bird to hawks is slim.

I'd put up the fence and let them free range, and not spend all my time worrying about it

Maybe get a "yard dog" from a shelter to help repel other predators.​

 

[daver]

Quote:
"My best protectors from aerial attack have been my guinea fowl. They literally start shrilly screaming when they see a raptor. This clues the flock in very quickly to take cover. The roosters have been helpful, but often will dare a raptor-- and they almost always lose this challenge." Phasian

We have ten chickens free ranging part time and have three Guineas that are "community birds". I just pay them with a few handfuls of scratch each morning and they hang around when our chickens are out of their pen. Usually one or two hours before dark.

Works well so far, well until this morning when I had a jailbreak at 7 am while taking care of feed and water. I opened the pop door not realizing that the gate was open, the big cockerel took off and everybody followed him. He decides that the Guinea scratch is his and picks a fight. The other Brahma cock is leading a group to the road out front, three chicks are in the back. I hear a mockingbird chattering while chasing a hawk along the woodline. Once I got it under control, my neighbor was laughing and I needed a break.

I am not sure but the three Guineas here on a normal free ranging evening seem to do just fine.

Dave

 

[Balefire]

I had good experience back in Germany by hanging old CD's around the run. I never lost one of my hens to hawks. Of course they had plants and the little goat shed to hide.

 

[7L Farm]

Quote:
Goats won't "protect" anything.

They need protecting themselves.

Nothing is going to keep hawks away, but the odds of losing a bird to hawks is slim.

I'd put up the fence and let them free range, and not spend all my time worrying about it

Maybe get a "yard dog" from a shelter to help repel other predators.

I have to disagree about you saying losing a bird to hawks is slim. I have a neighbor that has around 18 acres that is cleared I mean wide open. His coops are a joke every time I go there I want to cry because I know the chickens are gonna get killed. Anyway, in the last year he has had every bird get killed by hawks. He then adds more & they get killed by hawks. He adds more I again ask him how are the chickens well he says another two got it today by another hawk. I'm thinking to myself why does he keep adding. He asked me the other day for some chicks I told him why they will just get killed. He says no I'm gonna do this & that but he never does fix the coop. He fixes the coops I might consider it but probably not. Its not fair to have birds & have them killed off. I lost count on how many birds he lost.