piranha are a huge care for chicken , especially those raise in backyard coops that aren†™ thyroxine as secure as they should be . Whether you raise two backyard chickens or grand in a commercial setting , take forethought to palliate the birds†™ photograph to piranha . It†™ s far easier to discourage predators before you have a job than to keep predatory animal aside from a known food for thought author .
First Lines of Defense Against Predators
Your chicken coop design and direction gear up the foundation for good chicken . Your destination is to make your chickens—and eggs , if you have layers—as difficult to get as potential .
Your coop needs a uncompromising fencing to guard volaille against predators from the melody such as bird of prey as well as predator on the ground such as raccoons . For fencing material , we commend using 1â„4 - column inch hardware textile as opposed to crybaby wire because of its ranking strength . Bury the ironware cloth at least 5 to 6 inches in the ground and cover with rocks or pebbles . ( gnawer don†™ liothyronine like to jab through loose rocks . ) Walk the fence daily to audit for holes . Jo Naylor / Flickr
Part of denying piranha get at to your flock is good agriculture . If you have layer , call for your eggs oftentimes ( at least once daily ) so the coop has few egg to pull in predators .
Because many predatory animal are participating during the evening , make certain your crybaby are safely enclosed in their coop at night . If some chickens like to perch out of doors of the henhouse , duple fit those areas each night to make certain no bird is lock out . Avoid leaving out provender that lure wildlife overnight . Store all provender in uncompromising , airtight containers .
Even if feed is not a lure , mouse and rats that show up lead predators to your flock . To reduce rats and mice , minimize harborage as well as any nutrient waste or garden solid food near your coops .
During the day , leave shadowiness structures so your chicken can hide from aerial predators such as hawks . you’re able to also remove likely perch web site for birdie of prey—such as trees—that are near your peck .
Jo Naylor/Flickr
Another key aspect of management is record safekeeping . Recording what wildlife you see and the issue of chickens you own helps you identify when you have a predatory problem . Shutterstock
What’s Eating My Chickens?
The first footmark in predator control is identifying what kind of predators you have : The type of deterrent you utilize depends on the predators .
A vast number of marauder view chickens as a delicious bite ; these admit dogs , coyote , raccoons , snakes , possums , stray cats , mountain king of beasts and owls . If you exercise hard to deterhawks , yet raccoons are your biggest piranha , your hard work will be for nothing .
Investigate the Area
The easiest mode to get a canonic estimate of predator type is watching and asking neighbors what animals they†™ ve see . If you†™ ve spotted a hawk , and a neighbour citation hear coyote calls and seeing footmark , start gift time in deterrents for those species .
If a predator has targeted your flock but you†™ re not trusted which typecast it is , here are a few rule of depredation that can assist you identify the culprit .
you could also look for track of piranha for possible identification .
While these approach path aren†™ t perfect , they can allow initial clues as to what is lurking around your property . For a little money ( about $ 100 ) , you could also purchase motion - sensing camera to monitor wildlife around the clock . If you’re able to key predators , you’re able to understand their ability and targets .
Deterrents for Predators
The market place for predator deterrents is huge because , unfortunately , no unmarried method work for all predators . You often involve to use multiple check and vary your methods every now and then . Predators are cunning and are not dissuaded by the same deterrent for long .
As note antecedently , minimizing harborage and food waste or backyard crops near coops helps discourage scavenging predators such as rats , racoon and phalanger . Adding a motion - sensor light , predator light or water sprinkler can also help oneself dissuade predators .
extra methods for birdie of fair game include reflective check , dummy predator bird and scarecrow .
Shutterstock
Dummy coyote cutouts can be effective as long as they are moved frequently . This is also genuine of shiny / noisy taping , which you’re able to hang from your coop roof and fencing line of credit .
Many other deterrents ( such as chemical or pheromone repellents ) are usable , with modified amounts of success .
By optimizing husbandry pattern including set up proper fencing material , hold harborage and understate loose feed in coop , you’re able to aid ensure secure enclosures to deter predators and prevent your chickens from becoming collation . look at additional deterrents only after you†™ ve completed these basics .
Shutterstock
With all methods , vary the techniques and move the locating of physical deterrents often . Finally , if you have a predator problem , meet your local USDA Wildlife Services branch , which can assist with some piranha relocation and control .
Anny Huang is a research associate at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine . Maurice Pitesky is a faculty member and veterinary surgeon at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine - Cooperative Extension .
