Who's tired of the killing?

[Nostalchic]

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Hey jjthink, search on 'automatic pop doors'. There are some engineering types on this site that have developed their own designs, but also some commercially available ones ( Foys and Wells Poultry are mentioned) that might save you some restless nights and regrets.

 

[jjthink]

Hiya - Thanks. I like to make sure everybody is okay and accounted for so I've always made sure I'm there to check on their well being before their bedtime - and luckily have never once (yet!) forgotten to tuck them in - but I'm so glad you raised this because these sorts of products could well save lives and raising awareness about them is a very good thing. I do wish I had a set up that would support one of these gadgets just in case I can't get home sometime due to emergency or whatever - right now my only option is to call a neighbor!
JJ

 

[sandypaws]

why dont you put up a fence.. with lotz and lotz of hotwire????

i dont get as mad at the wildlife,, they are just trying to find something to eat, fill their bellies for a night... just trying to survive.
but loose domestic DOGS really make me MAD!!!! because there is a lazy owner behind the killer dog.. and the dogs are just bored,, NOT HUNGRY

 

[cmom]

Before I killed anything I checked with my local fish and wildlife to find out what was illegal. Most of the four legged were not endangered anyway and legal. The only things illegal here are birds of prey. Now I have my birds yard, runs and coops enclosed in hot wires. There are pictures on my BYC Page.

 

[bluey]

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Wow! I had never heard of such a gadget! Sounds like a great idea!

Where can you get one & what is the approximate cost? Please tell more about how it works, too, if you wouldn't mind.
I think you should start a separate post telling about this innovative predator control tool. Many should be interested.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5933976

Here is a link to my game cam. It is infra-red and takes night pictures without an animal startling flash. The daytime pictures are also impeccable. Check my BYC page for pictures from my game cam.

It uses 6 D batteries and has an internal memory or for ease of use or you can use a memory card if you don't want to cart it in the house to download pictures on the computer. It works like any other digital camera.

You mount it on a tree and face it towards your coop area. It is motion activated and takes pictures when anything moves where it is pointed. It can also take video if you wish but I'm sure that would run through the batteries. I'ts taken thousands of pics for me and my batteries are still over 50%. This is a key feature as some cams go through batteries like crazy.

I use electrical putty instead of the cheap gasket it comes with to insure water resistance for rain. It stamps day, time, temp and moon phase on every picture.

After a review of pictures, you get a good indication of predator habits, which makes hunting easy. The camera can also be used for surveillance of any part of your property that make not be secure.

I love it and think it is an essential for free ranging chickens.

You may also find my original link helpful:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=65814

 

[New adventure]

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Unfortunately, if we all kill everything that bothers us, that last sentence won't be true any more.

 

[Beekissed]

I'm wondering if you might have some predator problems still, with your fence, if you predators are that numerous? A determined predator is hard to keep out of a fence, no matter how strong.

I, too, have free ranged without loss for some years now. But then, I have two excellent dogs that free range inside the same enclosed acre+. I don't even close the pop door at night and the only thing that has bothered us has been a black snake that ate a couple of chicks.

I have coyotes, numerous hawks, coons, fox and bear around here, but none have braved the perimeter. Well, a coon did...and he died a quick death.

With the dogs, the predators can do what they do and my chickens can do what they do.....and never the twain shall meet.

 

[bluey]

Bee...it must be nice to have such wonderfully protective dogs. Makes the whole chicken owner thing much easier, huh?

 

[Judy]

Foxes most certainly are plentiful around here. Along with coon, possum, bobcat, coyote....

 

[Beekissed]

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You have no idea! I am so blessed with these two! The GP mix was breaking up hen fights today....it was comical! It was almost like a strict teacher or mom. She would get up, walk slowly over to them as they were fighting and lunge and bark. They would squawk, run away, and she would walk slowly back over and flop down in the sun. I don't normally encourage any such behavior as lunging and barking at the chooks, but I felt she was justified!

I think it was disturbing her nap!