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We're closing on a piece of mountain property paradise soon, and will be moving in next month.
We currently have 8 chickens (lost 2 to a fox just last night) and plan to have around 20 on the mountain.
Do any of yall raise chickens in the mountains?
My primary concern is predators. In the city, we have hawks and fox to contend with, but I've seen eagles and bear on the property we're moving to.
I figure I may have to build the pen out of chain-link.
Any advice is appreciated.
don't forget owls' hawks and 4 legged ones.
I dont know if this one is bear proof... but a enclosed kennel should work for your purpose...Remember to go at least 12" deep into the ground too.
http://www.quallinefence.com/images/KennelWhouse5x7.jpg
I'd run a electric fence around it to keep out coyotes, fox, etc. The coyotes that live up around Cripple Creek didn't look like the coyotes in Pueblo, more like miniature wolves with really thick fur, larger in size too. I think the fence will deter most predators. Don't forget the mountain lions...
http://www.zarebasystems.com/learnin...ining/predator
Nice!Quote:
Originally Posted by BushMasterBoy
Had not thought of that.
The bears will tear down about any fence up. We haven't lost any to bears since we put an electric fence. We have lost 7 in the last week, but finally found the culprit. It is a big bobcat. We aren't quite sure how we are going to get him yet. I don't know if he is getting them during the day or night. They are locked up in their pen at night, but the door to the coop doesn't close. He may be getting in by climbing a tree and jumping over the fence.
I forgot, we had a bobcat jump into the road in front of the truck two weeks ago when we were up at the property. I understand there are also mountain lions in the area.Quote:
Originally Posted by encorehunter
How did you string up your electric fence (how many wires, what height, what distance from the pen fence)?
And then there were none. The bobcat got the last three chickens last night. The fence is only 4 foot high with T posts. We put the chicken wire on the inside of the T posts and put the electric fence on the outside of the T posts. The bottom wire is about 8" off the ground and the other is about 4" below the top of the fence. It has worked great for bears, we even had some trail cam pictures of a couple bears walking around it. I think we will put the fence up another 4 feet to make it an 8 foot fence for when we can find more chickens.
Damn.
Sorry to hear that.
Sounds like you may need to trap the cat before trying again.
Why didn't you have the top closed off?
The area we have fenced in is a little too big to put a fence over the top. It is around 2000 square feet. We wanted it big enough if we had to leave for a few says, the chickens had an area to wonder around in. During the day when we are around, they are let out of the pen.
Did the cat haul them off or dine in ?
He took them all off. There was only one spot found with a small amount of feathers. No other traces were found.
The fox that got ours was on a killing spree.
We heard the chickens cackling at 11:00 PM and looked out the window.
I saw a fox entering the coop and ran out the door to scare it off. Two chickens were dead in different parts of the yard, and one was wandering around battered (but not fried).
I put the stray chicken back in the coop, locked the coop door and went back inside.
As soon as I got inside, the fox was back at the coop, looking for a way in.
I then watched the fox through a magnified optical device, when suddenly there was a loud noise and a flash. The fox must have gotten scared, because it fainted right there.
The next day, I went to check on the chickens, and the fox was still lying there - must have been more scared than I thought - possible heart attack.
I'm guessing the bastard was just going to kill them all.
That is what I was hoping for this bobcat. Now I don't know if we can take his picture through an optical device because we would no longer be protecting our livestock. I'm going to call the warden tonight and ask if we can get rid of it before we get more chickens.Quote:
Originally Posted by davsel
DADT
Animals disappear all the time.
We have a few trees in the chickens 'run' area so its not covered. The only other birds accessing it are jays and the occasional magpie due to the design, a large wingspan predator would have a difficult time getting in and out without injuring themselves in the trees just by this design. The run is of course attached to the coop and I let the chickens out in the morning, and lock them back up in the evening. The coop/run are located in a large backyard that is fenced. Sometimes the chickens are allowed to free range in the backyard so long as my dogs are kept inside the house. The birds are easy to round back up when its time to let the dogs do their thing.Quote:
Originally Posted by davsel
There are plenty of foxes, bobcats, domestic cats/dogs, and even some bears but the only predator to attempt to gain entry into the coop at night has been racoons. Thus far I've remedied this problem by adding my own urine markings around the perimeter. May sound strange, but it seriously has worked wonders for keeping would be predators away. I've also extended this concept to the outer areas of garden with great success as a deer and rabbit deterent. Just something to think about really. I've found that when dealing with animal problems, sometimes the easiest solution is to simply adopt their habits. Urine perimeter works very well so far, and I routinely remark areas about once every couple of weeks or so.
Badger
So you now claim beer as farming supplies? [ROFL1]
I mean, after all, you need volume when you're remarking every week or so ...
Well no, not really a beer fan but I do distill spirits. A little goes a long way actually. Just like the critters don't waste it all in one shot either when marking. Fence posts, trees, rocks, etc., its not a technique everyone will appreciate perhaps but its low tech, low cost and highly effective as I've not yet lost a chicken to a predator in all these years. As mentioned, once every couple weeks is sufficient. If its not something someone wants to do then pass.
Badger
Edit to add: I don't mark the entire property, that would be impossible. Only the regions of high concern. Again don't like it, don't do it. Was only posting for consideration.
I do that and now that I thonk about it, we haven't seen the raccoons for a while. Didn't stop the coyotes though.
Get a couple Anatolian Shepherds
I'm sure many here will frown on such practices, but many times predators like these can be dealt with a well placed conibear trap. (Look it up)
just have to keep in mind that they will not pick and choose. Whatever sticks its head in, is going to die. Placement is everything. I know a 78 yr old woman who was plagued with armadillos digging into her yard and ruining her fenced in garden. In 18 nights they caught 17! They've not had an issue since. Nasty ass critters. YMMV.
Hope you're federally licensed for the still, or I would not be posting on the net about alcohol being in it. TTB might be watching. Might want to read up on Title 27 of US Code of Federal Regulations.Quote:
Originally Posted by Badger
Doesn't matter unless you are selling it. Or so I hear from a distiller that I know.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave
Unlike wine or beer, the laws and regulations governing distilled spirits contain no provision that would allow someone to produce spirits in their home for personal use. Under 26 U.S.C. Section 5171 operations as a distiller, warehouseman or processor may be conducted only on the bonded premises of a qualified distilled spirits plant. To qualify such a plant, a registration, application for permit and bond must be filed in addition to other supporting organizational documents. 26 U.S.C. 5178 places restrictions on where a plant can be located.
Merely producing drinkable distilled spirits without a license is a federal offense. Homebrewing and home wine making are legalized by federal law unless a state law keeps it illegal. Law also states that all stills in the US are limited to 1 gallon for use to purify water or extract oils from plants. Anyone who produces a still must register with ATF and TTB the name and address of who they sold it to.
That's what I thought from reading into this before. Sounds like the reality is that you won't attract attention unless you start selling. Seems like many laws that aren't an issue until you find yourself on the wrong side of it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave
Thanks for your concern, I have everything I need to be legit as was discussed in here years ago and beaten like a dead horse by google warriors who think they're in the know. Again, thank you, but everything is on the up and up on this end.
Badger
My neighbor's spent a lot of time on fences both chain and electrified until they got tired of fixing it all the time and now use dogs. Their fence keeps the dogs in and the dogs keep everything else out. Two well trained GSDs will keep the predator's off of your property; you need at least two.
I have bear kills left on my property occasionally. Bears will destroy any enclosure if they want something.
I'm seriously considering getting chickens in the spring - never had them before so I'm doing a lot of reading and trying to get a plan together as well as know what I'm getting myself into.
I'm at 9000 feet, so I'm wondering: how you manage the run in the winter? Obviously it will be covered in snow most of the time. Do you just let them run around in the snow? Do you have to clear the snow out of there? Do you keep them in some sort of enclosed structure in the winter?
I hope this helps a tad. When I was young and skinny - I raised a flock of chickens. Where I was, we had mansoon seasons which lasted 3-6 months of almost daily rain. The trick back then was NOT to clean the coop, because the feces actualy insulate the cage.
In most Colorado winter, chicken should survive fine in an open coop (just like pigeon if you collect those). In extreme cold or thick snow, add a couple heat lamps. Same trick, dont clean the poop during the cold months.
Any tips are appreciated - thanks!
I have some friends who have chickens outside of Brighton and they bought an enclosed coop from their neighbor. They have chicken wire around and area they want to keep the chickens inside of and a staked chain link fence with buried chain link fencing under it a coyote barrier. Think they went with 4' so as to have 2' on each side of the upright fence. Although with a 6 foot wood fence around their garden/chicken area the chain link is better at keeping their dogs away. For winter heat they use infrared lizard light bulbs from the pet store.
Ive find the chickens seem to do better without the heatlamps and developa thicker set of feathers. Just make sure the coop has good bedding like straw or pine shavings. In the winter I use a galvi waterer on a heated plate,which runs on a timer. Im at 7700 ft and never had an issue with loosing birds in the winter.
This looks interesting. Anyone use something like this?
Chicken Coop Garden Combo
Attachment 50653
Good article. Really like that concept.
Family we know down the road is set up like this.Quote:
Originally Posted by GilpinGuy