How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Predator caught on camera

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Re: [CHICKENS-101] Predator caught on camera

Hi Cassie. My name is Marcella and I sure would like to have your design.
We live in an area where there are rats, snakes, bobcat and coyotes. Over
the last 8 weeks we have 9 new babies and certainly want to keep them safe
along with the 5 original chickens that we have. We have had to get two
snakes out of our coop in the last 3 weeks alone.

Thanks so much.

-------Original Message-------

From: Cassie Maas
Date: 7/2/2013 4:20:34 PM
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Predator caught on camera

If you really want your chickens to be safe, you need to completely enclose
them and cover them. The enclosure cannot be 'chicken wire' as it is too
weak and the openings too large. A frightened chicken will try to run and
end up sticking their head out where it will be bitten off, leaving the
body inside the enclosure. Sadly, I learned this from experience.

Chickens are vulnerable to all kinds of critters and now that the Bobcat
has found them, he will slowly come back for all of them. Chickens are also
very deep sleepers so they are most vulnerable at night. Killing the Bobcat
is only a temporary solution as some other animal will find them. Coyotes,
Raccoons, Foxes, neighbor dogs, and even birds will try to take them.

I am in the process of building a very predator proof (and mouse proof)
coop for them. If you are interested in the design, let me know.

Cassie Maas