Chicken killers

Predators seem to be a constant threat for any birds that are allowed to free range. One of the most common predators I hear about is roaming dogs - either those of the bird owners or those of neighbors. While some dogs will live harmoniously with poultry, some seem to go wild and go on a killing spree. Cats generally aren't a problem, except with young chicks or pigeons.

Other common predators are hawks and owls. Even when the birds are in an enclosed pen, they will attack if the top is not covered. Since these are protected species, you are limited in what you can do to stop this. You can string monofilament fishing line across the top of the pen. Hanging old compact disks (Finally a use for those free ones that come in the mail!), shiny pie tins, etc., around the yard can help, too. Some people have had success with strings of flashing red lights (like those sold around the holidays) to ward off owls. The best method of prevention is to cover the top of the pen with netting or wire.

Raccoons are a very common predator, too. Once they find an easy chicken dinner, they will return every few days if they can. Raccoons are adept at climbing over the top of a pen, finding a small hole in a fence, or even making their own hole in some weak board or netting. It's not unusual to find most of the chicken still intact, often with just the crop and maybe some intestines consumed. Raccoons generally don't come around until dusk, so if you can close up the coop before dark, you can usually avoid these losses. Just be careful as the days get shorter in the fall, since you must be home before it gets dark. Electric fencing, strung about 6-8 inches off the ground, can be very effective, too. Raccoons can usually be trapped fairly easily. Baits such as tuna, sardines, or even the dead chicken from the first kill can be used. If you're thinking of live-trapping and relocating the raccoon, remember that they can return from quite a distance, and you may also be dumping a problem on someone else. Finally, even if you trap that raccoon, it's likely another one will move in, so you should definitely improve your fencing to prevent another attack.

Animals such as foxes, coyotes, rats, opossums, mink, etc. are other predators you may have to deal with, too. Lots of animals like a chicken dinner!!

As you can see, true free-ranging may be a risky proposition. It is probably safer for the birds to have an enclosed pen that is large enough to give them some range. Otherwise, you probably should plan on losing some birds to predators