YOUR EXPERIANCES! YOUR OUTCOMES! YOUR PREDATORS & PESTS!

[petrel]

My neighbors, one 100yds away the other 150 have lost several chickens and ducks to foxes and raccoons. I've had one attempted "dig-in". Fortunately, so far my chicken tractor's defenses have held: 2"X4" wire floor in the run, Double wire 2"X4" and 1/2" wire on the sides and 1/4" hardware cloth in all soffits, windows, and vents, automatic coop door and cable locks on the run and coop doors. Every time they suffer a loss, I worry about our defenses.

 

[BugGuy]

Move.

Just kidding!! Is it a noise issue? If so, then geese or guineas are out. A big dog would work, but if you don't want another animal to care for, that's out. High fencing or a portable run might work if you have the funds and space to do it. Leghold traps would work in specified areas, but then you have to deal with dogs. However, I get the feeling you are in a suburb of some kind so catching a dog "Off Leash" would probably be a law enforcement issue that would get the owners attention. I had a neighbor dog that would keep coming around even after I talked to the owner, so I live trapped him, painted him blaze orange, and then let him loose. The owner got the hint after his orange dog came back home. Live trapping is an option, but you have to be able to deal with an upset coyote, which can get fun at times. Tough situation to be sure and moving would be a real option for me. Hope this helped. Good Luck, I wish you well!!

 

[Sagetown]

I am not allowed roo's here.. so what would you suggest to keep the girls safe from the coyotes?

How many girls are you talking about? If 4 or less, during the night you can put them up in a large dog/pet carrier found at most farm stores, and let them run in a small chicken wire run. A cheap temporary run can consist of those plastic hot wire posts (3 foot tall) that have steel points on the bottoms for sticking into the ground. Use zip ties to attach the chicken wire to them, then just set the posts in the ground to enclose the chickens.

This is what give me the most problems in summertime. He has an egg inside him, plus he strangled two of my laying hens. I use birdshot with this .22.

 

[Sagetown]

Although there are lots of Bobcat close by, they don't (or haven't) bother my chickens. They prefer the rabbits and deer fawn. This big boy was stalking deer when he walked up on my son's friend.

 

[rockmissjess]

How many girls are you talking about? If 4 or less, during the night you can put them up in a large dog/pet carrier found at most farm stores, and let them run in a small chicken wire run. A cheap temporary run can consist of those plastic hot wire posts (3 foot tall) that have steel points on the bottoms for sticking into the ground. Use zip ties to attach the chicken wire to them, then just set the posts in the ground to enclose the chickens.

This is what give me the most problems in summertime. He has an egg inside him, plus he strangled two of my laying hens. I use birdshot with this .22.

This is being delievered today by fedex...im gonna stain it darker and then reinforce it on all sides..i think im gonna dig down a little and put cinderblocks and paving stones around it aswell.. i would like the birds to be mostly free- range as im home all day.. im a little scared tho.. however i dont see the coyotes around during the day only at night.. i cannot and will not have a gun in my home... however a bb gun is a option.. yeah im also scared of the snakes i found a cal king slithered under my front door's screen last year.. scared the shzzz outta me.. we have rattlesnakes around but ive never seen one.. ive seen a few baby cal kings tho.. but i hear they are good to have around so we kept them alive.

 

[rockmissjess]

Although there are lots of Bobcat close by, they don't (or haven't) bother my chickens. They prefer the rabbits and deer fawn. This big boy was stalking deer when he walked up on my son's friend.

how beautiful... and scary at the same time.. id rather watch those guys on the discovery channel than ever meet one in person.. lol

 

[Sagetown]

This is being delievered today by fedex...im gonna stain it darker and then reinforce it on all sides..i think im gonna dig down a little and put cinderblocks and paving stones around it aswell.. i would like the birds to be mostly free- range as im home all day.. im a little scared tho.. however i dont see the coyotes around during the day only at night.. i cannot and will not have a gun in my home... however a bb gun is a option.. yeah im also scared of the snakes i found a cal king slithered under my front door's screen last year.. scared the shzzz outta me.. we have rattlesnakes around but ive never seen one.. ive seen a few baby cal kings tho.. but i hear they are good to have around so we kept them alive.

Oh; Great; That Hutch is fantastic. Snake and Coyote proof. Free ranging chickens that you have raised are really Leary of stepping outside their run. They're more comfortable if you stay out there with them. I turn mine out for 10 to 25 minutes, then take a handful of their favorite millet, and toss it inside their run, and they'll all go inside. The longer they are allowed to range, the braver they get too.

 

[rockmissjess]

Oh; Great; That Hutch is fantastic. Snake and Coyote proof. Free ranging chickens that you have raised are really Leary of stepping outside their run. They're more comfortable if you stay out there with them. I turn mine out for 10 to 25 minutes, then take a handful of their favorite millet, and toss it inside their run, and they'll all go inside. The longer they are allowed to range, the braver they get too.

GOOD TO KNOW... I'll keep that in mind... i think im gonna put the hutch as close to the house as i can... as if i hear any thing i can be there in a flash!..

 

[BugGuy]

That coop should keep out all but the most dedicated coyote. My coop is nowhere near that nice. Enjoy!!

 

[rockmissjess]

That coop should keep out all but the most dedicated coyote. My coop is nowhere near that nice. Enjoy!!

Ebay is my friend... & thank you makes me feel good... i know its better than anything i could build (not that talented as some of these folks on here)