As the weather heats up, more and more people are spending time outside. Then, when you go to Tractor Supply and other farm stores, it can be hard to pass up the cute little chicks that they have for sale.
That being said, once chicks have grown into full-grown chickens, you still have to work hard to keep them safe. There are many predators in your yard looking for their next meal, and chickens are pretty easy targets.
If you are unsure about how to keep your chickens safe, here are some tips to help.
It helps to know what you are fighting against.
Depending on your location, you may be dealing with many different types of predators. Though hawks, raccoons, and foxes live almost anywhere, you might be dealing with something you never imagined. You might have bobcats, wolves, bears, and other hungry creatures looking for their next meal.
Once you understand what you are dealing with, you can develop a plan. If you have bears, you may need a sturdier house for your chickens. Weasels can even come through a chain link fence, so you might need smaller wire fencing if you are dealing with these critters.
If you do lose a chicken, try to figure out what happened.
Though you may not want to think about it, the truth is that you can learn from your loss. If you can determine what happened, you can make the necessary adjustments to prevent it from happening again.
If you didn’t lock your chickens up at night, you may realize that you need to do so. If something swooped down and got them from above, you may need to add something on top of your coop to keep your chickens safe. You may even find a hole that needs to be fixed.
That being said, you may want to review and update your protection plan regularly.
Unfortunately, predators are smart, and they will figure out when you are trying to mess with them. If you have balloons, owls, and scarecrows around trying to scare them, you are going to want to move them every couple of days.
Know what you are allowed and not allowed to do with any predators.
Though you may want to kill anything that is after your chickens, you could seriously get into trouble if you harm the wrong animal. Many species, especially hawks are protected, and you could face serious penalties if you harm one!
Free-ranging chickens aren’t always a good idea.
Though many people like to let their chickens roam their property, the truth is that it makes them vulnerable to many predators. If you want to do this, you may want to ensure that they have plenty of hiding spaces where they can retreat. This may include bushes and small shelters.
If you do free-range, you may want to have a good rooster. They are great at protecting their “ladies.” They watch out for danger, and if they find anything that they are worried about, they will do whatever it takes to keep their hens safe. Not only that, but they may move them into a safer location. Some roosters will even die trying to save their flock!
Remember that your pets may not like the chickens as much as you do.
Though most people are worried about wild predators, the simple truth is that our own pets, including our beloved dogs, may also hurt and kill our chickens. Not only that, but you may also have to worry about your neighbor’s dogs, who might be looking for a treat!
Keeping your chickens safe means knowing what you are up against. Do you have weasels in your area? You will need to close up every small hole that you find in your chicken house. If you have bears, a chain-link fence may not be enough to keep them out. If you have hawks, you will need to install a roof on your chicken pen.
If you lose one, it helps to understand what happened so you can do things differently. That being said, you need to be cautious with how you interact with some of the predators. While you can shoot some, some are protected, and you could face jail time if you hurt one.
That being said, you also need to consider your dogs. Many dogs will attack chickens, so you either need to keep them separate or train them to behave properly around chickens.
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My dream chicken coop is an Omlet! These plastic coops with fencing are easy to clean and move, so your chickens can have fresh grass every day!
If you can’t afford an Omlet, you may want to look at their automatic doors for your chicken coop. This will ensure that your chickens get put away every night and you don’t have to worry about predators getting them.
Chickens need enrichment to have a good life. If you are looking for quality accessories for your chickens, you should check these out.
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Please note, this article contains affiliate links, where I will receive compensation if you buy the product, without any extra cost to you.
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You should also note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice.
If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.