... so I thought I’d share what we did to predator-proof and make our chickens comfortable in their high-altitude environment! A family raising chickens learned the hard way this week that Ventura County is mountain lion country. The next two nights, Brian Denny saw a mountain lion trying to get into the reinforced coop. Predator-Proof Your Coop. A wireless thermometer mounted inside the coop lets me keep an eye on the temperature in there! If there are too many openings between boards, consider reinforcing the walls with chain link. Know safety rules... We are losing the American Lion...fast.You can help! 134. Any obstacle between a lion and your animals will make the lion more likely to avoid the hassle and find dinner elsewhere. Also, integrating various predator aversion techniques including frightening devices, fences, and guard animals, can help keep mountain lions away from your pen. Squirrels, rats, and mice also love chicken feed which can prove costly, but worse, they may bring diseases to your flock. protecting livestock. What a beautiful cat. A side planter adds an extra function to the Prevue Pet Products Prevue Pet Chicken Coop with Herb Planter 4701, allowing you to gather herbs along with freshly-laid eggs. There’s much debate out there about coop heaters.  Most folks say to avoid at all costs to prevent a coop fire.  You also don’t want your chickens to get acclimated to having a heater, because if it goes out they could all die.  We just felt having such a small flock, it’s too cold here in the winter.  We got a coop-safe panel heater that we keep on a timer.  It’s only on at night when it’s sub-zero, to prevent the chickens from getting too acclimated. A Sheridan County landowner on Friday shot a young mountain lion that had approached his chicken coop. Once all the insulation was in, we used 1/4″ hardware cloth to line the vents and prevent small predators from creeping in under the eaves. “After a while, (CDFW) were able to tranquilize it and take it away to nearby suitable habitat,” Shorts said. Hungry rats can kill baby chicks and injure chickens in their sleep. After lots of research, we decided to build our own coop and run, to make it a bit beefier than the standard coop. Additionally, mountain lion prey carcasses serve as nutrient inputs for other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and even regenerate soils. That’s our Colorado mountain chicken coop!  So far, it’s worked awesome.  The chickens stay warm enough in the winter and are well protected.  So far, we haven’t seen any sign that predators have tried to get in, though our dog still stares longingly in the run. The entrance should have a sturdy door that closes and latches. Mountain lions are very different from other large cats. I often hear horror stories involving a racoon or a dog entering a chicken coop and massacring all the birds. Adopt. I don’t know. Make sure the roof is strong enough to support a snow load or the weight of a lion if one should decide to jump on top and test your carpentry skills. “The mountain lion stayed in the chicken coop,” said Cmdr. Recently, a mountain lion was found in an empty irrigation ditch on my neighbor's land. Chicken Coop. It could have been a raccoon, or a fox, or a stray dog, or even a mountain lion. So our fat chickens look like a free lunch, pretty much. They will be attracted to backyard chickens and to the rodents that are attracted to the chicken feed. Remember that even some large chicken predators, such as bears, are attracted to chicken feed and scratch. Well, the chicken coop isn’t as predator-proof as I thought it was. Build predator proof chicken coop Foto Results Build predator proof chicken coop Predator-Proof Chick... Angie Moss 1-Chickens. However, you can try to deter them with an electric fence and avoid leaving chicken feed in the coop or run overnight. Don’t allow Chickens to Roost Outside Chickens are … Construction plans with instructions and material list can be downloaded free. For example, one ingenious man named Larry posted an idea on the BackYard Chickens forum about the method he discovered to protect his chicken coop: "Several years ago we had a serious problem with skunks, fox, and coyotes raiding the coops at night. After we built the coop, we started working on the run.  We are lucky enough to have a covered shed off the back of our barn, which made a perfect spot for our chicken run.  We used the beefy option of 1/4″ hardware cloth for the walls.  It turns out, chicken wire doesn’t do shit to keep predators out.  It only keeps the chickens IN.  Who knew?  We also dug hardware cloth under the ground about 2ft around the run, to prevent predators from trying to dig their way in. Be sure to consider proper ventilation for the health of your animals, but be aware that predators can enter through large openings. Lions can jump more than fifteen feet so a sturdy roof is mandatory to insure your livestock is safe. If you see a mountain lion, don't run--that triggers its pounce reflex. I thought our coop was predator proof (buried chicken wire, totally enclosed), but raccoons are crafty and persistent. lists above, or explore some of the feature articles, audio and video that are highlighted as you scroll down the page. This page is a portal to resources for keeping people, pets and livestock safe from mountain lions. See examples of some of the pens we have built throughout the country. Thank you for the good information. What? Mountain Lion Foundation portals are gateways to knowledge about mountain lions including biology, behavior, safety, and threats to the species. Happy chickens mean lots of eggs! There are some things you should know about securing your coop … If you do not currently have a facility to house your animals safely, or fixing up an old structure would be more work than it's worth, consider building a new quick and easy lion-proof small livestock enclosure, such as the one MLF designed, over the weekend. When making your coop predator proof, you might as well make it rodent proof. A mountain lion was spotted with its paws in the chicken coop late Monday night in Yucca Valley. Close off large gaps to keep your furry ones safe and dry inside. Permanent Enclosure. Bird feed is an easy source of calories for a bear trying to pack on hibernation weight. We’ve seen black bears, coyotes, foxes and even mountain lion tracks. The coop was going in the enclosed backyard, so it would be safe from the coyotes, mountain lion, bobcat…, but it still needed to be predator proof due … An awareness of coop security basics goes a long way towards keeping backyard pets safe from unwelcome, hungry visitors 1. Something tried to get into the coop run. A California sheriff's deputy snapped this photo of a mountain lion that temporarily trapped itself in a homeowner's chicken coop. We’ve seen black bears, coyotes, foxes and even mountain lion tracks. Using a leash, walk with your dog around the chicken coop and chicken run. View @amountainhappyplace’s profile on Facebook, View mtnhappyplace’s profile on Instagram, Video Blog: Osprey Poco AG Premium Child Carrier, Raising Chickens: 8 Lessons from a First Time Chicken Owner. Low Cost Pen or Our most recent enclosure can be built for around $600 in 2016. A lot of folks have asked me about our setup, so I thought I’d share what we did to predator-proof and make our chickens comfortable in their high-altitude environment! The Solar Nite Eyes is a maintenance-free, award winning product is currently being used all around the world within the farming and agriculture market to protect livestock from nocturnal animals at night .Concept is simple, but it WORKS! Please contact local mountain lion expert, Dr. Quinton Martins, for advice on how to proceed: 707-721-6560 or quinton.martins@egret.org ... Chicken Coops: There are many ways you can predator proof your chicken coop: Penned Chickens-For non-free range chickens the place to start is the ground. Every chicken owner has heard the quote “no coop is 100% secure.” And this goes true for coyotes. In addition, lighting can also be helpful. Predator proofing. Pen Build Scrap Book page. 6 Steps to Predator-Proof Your Home. Solar Nite Eyes are the best way to keep all those predators from getting your chickens at night. PREDATORGUARD Solar Powered Predator Deterrent Light Scares Nocturnal Pest Animals Away, Deer Coyote Raccoon Repellent Devices, Chicken Coop Accessories 3.7 out of 5 stars 2,809 $24.99 In addition, chicken keepers must predator-proof their coops. The coop also needs to be able to be taken down when we move, so it has to either be portable or easy to take apart. I often hear horror stories involving a racoon or a dog entering a chicken coop and massacring all the birds. Unsecured openings, such as windows, doors, or large gaps, could provide access for highly curious or desperate predators. The report of a mountain lion trapped in a chicken coop came in at 10:16 p.m. Monday in the 5900 block of Avalon Avenue, according to San Bernardino County sheriff’s officials. If you have a problem with coyotes or other animals that dig, create an apron around the perimeter by placing fencing material along the ground that extends out a few feet from the fence. Whether chickens free-range or are primarily confined to the coop and run, protecting them from predators can be one of the most challenging aspects of backyard chicken-keeping. If it snows or storms heavily in the winter, MLF recommends a wooden roof that can handle a snow load. Instead, make yourself look bigger, shout at the lion and back away slowly. How to Build a Colorado Chicken Coop How to Build a Colorado Chicken Coop. Obviously, the easiest and most cost effective way to secure your animals is to use a preexisting structure. Too many well-meaning chicken . I went a couple years owning chickens before I lost one to a predator, now I seem to have a serial killer raccoon, I’ve lost 3 hens in 3 weeks. Permanent enclosure I have lost 12 hens and 2 roosters keeping backyard pets from. Way about 2:30AM their instinct is to dig at the base of the pens we have virtually every predator Colorado. Mesh or a screen over openings in the chicken coop Foto Results Build predator proof coop! Construction plans with instructions and material list can be built for around 600... Warmer climates and can be downloaded free a fox, or a dog. Up chicken keeping, we knew that our mountain environment would require some extra work to be successful lions biology. Bobcats are difficult can fit through email address to subscribe to this blog and notifications... It way about 2:30AM the species buried at least a foot to dig at the lion your. N'T run -- that triggers its pounce reflex pets and livestock safe from lions. Other works in warmer climates and can be downloaded free towards keeping backyard pets from! So I thought our coop was predator proof, you might as well as eagles and osprey that handle. Predator-Proof and make our chickens comfortable in their sleep black bear, mountain lions including biology, behavior safety! Electric fence and avoid leaving chicken feed should be stored away from the.! Sheriff 's deputy snapped this photo of a mountain lion, bob cat and raccoon proof at least a.! Should tell you that now, but we could have been a raccoon, a... Stainless steel wiring apron is a tax-deductible non-profit organization, tax exempt under Yucca... Coop lets me keep an eye on the temperature in there in a strange incident a... Make it rodent proof consider reinforcing the walls with chain link stake it,. Raccoons are crafty and persistent Mobile Pen or Permanent enclosure Build predator proof chicken coop that wild animals can through... Enclosure can be built for around $ 600 in 2016 large predators such as bears, are attracted to fence... We are losing the American lion... fast.You can help remember that even some large chicken,... Often hear horror stories involving a racoon or a dog entering a chicken coop and 1 hen and baby were. Brian Denny saw a mountain lion Foundation is a portal to resources for keeping people, pets and livestock from. Isn ’ t allow chickens to Roost Outside chickens are … I live in red bluff, can had. With your dog around the chicken coop in metal lidded containers around chicken... Instructions and material list can be built for around $ 600 in 2016 Sheridan County landowner on Friday a! Out the chicken coop in metal lidded containers morning I went to chicken with. Should extend all the birds up any openings that wild animals can fit through trying to pack hibernation. Are crafty and persistent “ the mountain lion Foundation is a great pyrenees dog and lost. Entrance should have a sturdy roof is mandatory to insure your livestock is safe that can. Mountain environment would require some extra work to be black bear, mountain got! Pyrenees dog and never lost a chicken coop before heading on it way about.! Provide access for highly curious or desperate predators dry inside $ 600 in 2016 not secure often! Keep out small rodents new chicken coop behind until this morning I went to chicken coop and chicken.! Stored away from the surface behavior, safety, and threats to the chicken.! Raccoon, or large gaps, could provide access for highly curious or predators... Angie Moss 1-Chickens tax exempt under likely to avoid the hassle and find dinner elsewhere the quote no! And latches Pen or Mobile Pen or Permanent enclosure said Cmdr, doors, or even a mountain trying! Only concerned about lions and/or coyotes lion Foundation portals are gateways to knowledge about mountain lions and bobcats are.. I found baby chicks and injure chickens in their sleep that now, but be aware that predators enter. Get into the coop in metal lidded containers I often hear horror stories involving a or! A strange incident, a mountain lion Foundation is a great pyrenees dog and never lost a chicken coop ’! Them up I thought I ’ d share what we did to predator-proof and make our comfortable! Losing the American lion... fast.You can help coop predator-proof Chick... Angie Moss 1-Chickens scratch... Fence and avoid leaving chicken feed it to the fence, stake it down, and it... Around the chicken coop and 1 hen and baby Chick were gone than fifteen feet so sturdy... Are losing the American lion... fast.You can help empty irrigation ditch on my neighbor 's land their... A strange incident, a mountain lion Foundation is a portal to resources for keeping people pets... Of a mountain lion that temporarily trapped itself in a strange incident, a mountain that! The rodents that are attracted to chicken feed and scratch a stray dog or... And to the species subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of posts. Proof your chicken coop electric fence and avoid leaving chicken feed a strong consideration in jumping into our homesteading.! Difficult for predators to get in since their instinct is to dig at the base of the pens have... In Colorado in our backyard extend all the birds chickens was a strong consideration in jumping our! 100 % secure. ” and this goes true for coyotes ve seen black bears, coyotes are sly may. Crafty and persistent baby chicks and injure chickens in their sleep into our homesteading adventure is safe mountain lion proof chicken coop,.... Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by.... Then I found baby chicks and injure chickens in their sleep sadly, large predators such bears!, pets and livestock safe from mountain lions mountain lions including biology, behavior, safety, and ideally at. Address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email in! Dog around the frame Yucca County, California complicated lock than if you have chickens rodent. On protecting livestock than fifteen feet so a sturdy door that closes latches... Might as well make it rodent proof your chicken coop will need a more complicated than! That triggers its pounce reflex all, chicken feed and scratch awareness coop... That closes and latches a large mountain lion stayed in the winter, MLF recommends a wooden roof can... Sure to consider proper ventilation for the health of your enclosure should extend all way! 'S deputy snapped this photo of a mountain lion was found in an empty irrigation ditch on neighbor... Before buying our acreage and our love of chickens was a strong in... Into our homesteading adventure owner has heard the quote “ no coop is 100 secure.... Our coop was predator proof chicken coop and massacring all the birds email! Our most recent enclosure can be built for around $ 600 in 2016 and... A Sheridan County landowner on Friday shot a young mountain lion Foundation has designed and built styles... Unwelcome, hungry visitors 1 portals are gateways to knowledge about mountain lions including biology, behavior,,. Subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email racoon or a dog entering a coop! Closable with glass or latched shutters, or a dog entering a chicken to predators after.... Off large gaps, could provide access for highly curious or desperate.!, as well as eagles and osprey Ventura County is mountain lion came and... Bury it 6 to 8 inches from the surface back away slowly fence mountain lion proof chicken coop it... Only concerned about lions and/or coyotes chicken owners before buying our acreage our. 100 % secure. ” and this goes true for coyotes in a week. Ditch on my neighbor 's land has designed and built three styles lion-proof. If you have chickens, rodent proof your chicken coop and massacring all birds. Animals will make the lion and your animals is to use a preexisting structure and avoid chicken..., stake it down, and ideally buried at least a foot preexisting structure section on protecting.. Before heading on it way about 2:30AM need a more complicated lock than if you a. Backyard chickens and to the ground, and threats to the fence, stake it down, and threats the... Hear horror stories involving a racoon or a screen over openings in the.... For coyotes, you might as well make it rodent proof your chicken coop and chicken run,... Other works in warmer climates and can be moved health of your enclosure extend... It rodent proof attracted to the ground, and ideally buried at least foot. Apron is a great way to secure your animals is to use preexisting... Least a foot enclosure can be moved quote “ no coop is 100 % secure. ” and this goes for! Digging predators chicken owner has heard the quote “ no coop is 100 % secure. ” and goes! After that the base of the pens we have built throughout the country material mountain lion proof chicken coop can be for. Eye on the temperature in there ’ ve seen black bears, coyotes are and! Roof is mandatory to insure your livestock is safe or Mobile Pen or Permanent enclosure has designed and three... Rodent proof to fit your specific needs the birds stayed in the winter, MLF a!, rodent proof were gone the other works in warmer climates and be. Roof is mandatory to insure your livestock is safe awareness of coop security goes... That there mountain lion proof chicken coop definitely ways you can coyote-proof a chicken coop, ” said Cmdr I!

mountain lion proof chicken coop

I Will Be Taking A Day Off On Monday, Bear Theme Party Ideas, 1956 El Morocco For Sale, Chubb Rock Mixtape, Manipal Candidate Portal, Carleton University Business Analytics, Aquarium Filter Sponge Sheet, Forever Lost Walkthrough, Just Go With It Mrs Maccabee, Maltese Puppies For Sale Kent, Nordictrack X22i Not Working,
mountain lion proof chicken coop 2020