Re: Predators killing chickens

In southern Arizona where I am, foxes and coyotes are the main predators I have had to deal with. i put up a 5-foot high fence, I do lock most of the birds in either a kennel pen or in the barn at night. We have about 30 geese as well as peaccoks and guineas, one of them will usually sound an alarm when they se something.

I also have put bait around the perimeter of the property where the predator will find it but places my birds don't go. The bait is something a predator can smell and would be attracted to, meat scraps, but I "flavor" the meat scraps with an ingredient so when the predator
takes the bait, it's lights out for them. Out where I live, I could shoot the coyotes or foxes and I am legally able to shoot predators to protect my livestock. The bait seems to work as I don't have to sit up all night and wait for the predator to come visit.

Usually coyotes do their hunting right before sunrise foxes though
will come in the day or evening hours too.

at my parent's place near Phoenix Arizona, they have an old dog kennel pen that has been turned into a bird pen, there is a wire roof on top too.

JOHN


magnolia15@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
On Aug 8, 8:16 am, texasclaw <texasc...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I have lost approximately 200+ free range chickens in the past 3
months. They roost in the hedge by he barn and when I come out
another lay on the ground with head off and part of chest missing.
Same thing in the chicken yard, where they sleep in the chicken house,
but roam the yard from early morning until evening.

I have tried live animal traps, streaming metal tape and animal away
sounders, all to no avail.

any ideas what the predators could be and what to do will be greatly
appreciated.


Hi, Texasclaw!
Let's see,...Texas...coyotes (kill, take with them, kill a lot),
racoons (kill, mangle necks, eat breast and best meats first,
sometimes leave a lot of kill), opossums (usually kill and eat nearly
entire bird in place), owls (usually take prey off), hawks (usually
kill and tear into breast area, may or may not take off with it).
I think your predator sounds like raccoons, but maybe you have other
small vermin in the area, too. Minks, etc.
The point is, they can get into the yard through very small holes or
may actually be living there. Look at night with a flashlight or
night vision scope. Raccoons will "freeze" when spotted, but may turn
to look at you. Then you see their eyes.
And why should they go to a trap when they are feeding well? Even
free range birds need nighttime security. Ours have always been free
range by day and securly locked in a house or secure stall at night.
The only thing is finding housing for that many birds in this heat.
Alternatively, you can put a trained critter in to protect your
birds. Some people use dogs. Some use emus. Some use llamas. None
are foolproof.
Check with your extension office, if you are lucky enough to have a
good one. They may have ideas, too.
It's a tough world out there as a bird keeper.
Best of Luck!

Kathleen
Straw Barry Fields Farm
Beefalo
Kentucky

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