AccidentalOrpingtons
Chirping
I have been avoiding getting chickens for years. Let me tell you about our backyard "friends"
We have a bear(s) that knocked down my beehives once, there's now a bear fence and that has worked amazing, bear was thoroughly zapped trying to get the bacon bait, haven't seen it on any of the game cameras in years.
We have at least 2 dens of foxes on the property
At least two pairs (do they stay together all year?) of raccoons.
Not sure how many opossums.
A lot of black vultures, which I have read that unlike turkey vultures (which we also have!) they will predate on chickens
A nest of red tail hawks that live right over my shop that have had chicks almost every year
Our rescue dog is some kind of terrier and wants those chickens in the worst way. Have been working on this but never the two shall meet!! The dog's kennel is on other side of the house and the dog knows all about the bear fence. Our dog is not an off leash pet either.
My husband decided the Eglu Cube and run inside the bear fence can handle many of these guys after a lot of research. After years of looking at coop ideas and building we had to be honest with ourselves we are not builders and do not have near the skills I have seen you guys have on this forum!! Some of the coops on here are incredibly secure and well thought out! But we know our limits and had to go with purchasing at least a good baseline to start with
My question is:
What additional safety measures do I need to add to this set up? How can I add to what is there?
Any advice on which animals can get right through our defenses? How can I improve?
Our young kids are so in love with the chickens that not only would I be very upset, but the kids would be devastated.
We did receive the automatic door and have installed finally! Also my shop where I work is on the property so I am "home" all day and am often finding myself watching chicken tv.... there should be a warning how many hours one can spend watching them!! Much more interesting than a fish tank, for sure!
We have a bear(s) that knocked down my beehives once, there's now a bear fence and that has worked amazing, bear was thoroughly zapped trying to get the bacon bait, haven't seen it on any of the game cameras in years.
We have at least 2 dens of foxes on the property
At least two pairs (do they stay together all year?) of raccoons.
Not sure how many opossums.
A lot of black vultures, which I have read that unlike turkey vultures (which we also have!) they will predate on chickens
A nest of red tail hawks that live right over my shop that have had chicks almost every year
Our rescue dog is some kind of terrier and wants those chickens in the worst way. Have been working on this but never the two shall meet!! The dog's kennel is on other side of the house and the dog knows all about the bear fence. Our dog is not an off leash pet either.
My husband decided the Eglu Cube and run inside the bear fence can handle many of these guys after a lot of research. After years of looking at coop ideas and building we had to be honest with ourselves we are not builders and do not have near the skills I have seen you guys have on this forum!! Some of the coops on here are incredibly secure and well thought out! But we know our limits and had to go with purchasing at least a good baseline to start with
My question is:
What additional safety measures do I need to add to this set up? How can I add to what is there?
Any advice on which animals can get right through our defenses? How can I improve?
Our young kids are so in love with the chickens that not only would I be very upset, but the kids would be devastated.
We did receive the automatic door and have installed finally! Also my shop where I work is on the property so I am "home" all day and am often finding myself watching chicken tv.... there should be a warning how many hours one can spend watching them!! Much more interesting than a fish tank, for sure!