Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
CAT-NIP? DOG-GONE?
Although farms and dogs, and cats and barns, go together like butter and corn on the
cob, the decision of whether or not to have a pet or working dog or cat in and around
your flock should not be made casually. When you have well-behaved dogs and cats
that are trained to not bother the birds and mix with the flock as they like, the birds
get used to their company. Your fowl's lack of fear then makes them more susceptible
to the attacks of feral dogs and cats.
Fox, Coyote, Bobcat, and Wolf
Plenty of predators such as foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and wolves live in fields and open
country. Foxes like fields and edges of forests. They are swift and tend to kill one bird
at a time, taking it back to their home. They can move in, grab a chicken, and move out
before you have an inkling about what's happening. You may be sitting in your house
when you suddenly hear the chickens go wild. Then the chickens will calm down as if
nothing is happening while the fox is carrying one of their friends away.
Foxes can pass through fairly small spaces, such as the holes in woven wire field
fence made for hogs or cattle, and a mesh fence provides an easy opportunity to sneak
into the pen. Once they find a food source, they will set up residence somewhere in the
area and continue to come back looking for what they may find. They prey on chickens,
ducks, and (rarely) adult turkeys. Chicks and ducklings are particularly vulnerable.
Unlike the fox, the coyote probably will do most of its killing and hunting during
the night. Coyotes can take down larger birds than can foxes. None of your poultry is
safe from coyotes; however, they are much more fearful of humans than are foxes and
usually keep their distance. If they see humans moving about, they won't attack your
birds. But once they get the scent, they'll be back to check out the menu when you're
not around.
Bobcats and wolves are big and strong enough to catch and devour all species of
poultry. Although they are extremely solitary creatures, they can't turn down a free meal
if your poultry facilities allow them entrance.
All of these predators are large, and even with fencing, it's difficult to keep them out
if they want to get in. It requires highly secured pens shut up safe and tight at night. Any
exposed birds are at risk. A 6-foot-high (1.8 m) extremely heavy-duty, heavy-gauge wire
fence will deter most of these animals if there are no gaps and no way to dig beneath the
fence. Having a well-trained watchdog is enormously helpful; an alarmist canine keeps
prey at bay and warns you of their presence.
Hawk
