Predators is becoming much more of a problem here now, more than ever before. I am having coons, foxes & oppossums stealing my poultry. The foxes is coming out in broad daylight and stealing chickens. A neighbor seen a coyote & bobcat right above my place in the woods, but so far I have not caught them stealing yet. I would just say its a matter of time though. I have several dogs roaming the farm, but it seems as if they are out smarting the dogs in this game. I am raising 12 more dogs to help me out in this crusade against the predators. I hate building fences, and that is due to all the work it involves, and then the cost of fence is outrageous. But my plan is to have a peremiter (sp) fence around the property, then set in about 6-10 foot and build another fence around the property, and allow the dogs to run between the 2 fences. The outside fence is electric mesh fence, then the other fence on the inside is just a regular welded wire goat fence. Then I will see how well this can protect all my poultry/water fowl., and hopefully the goats will be protected well also.
I have another predator which I have not determined what it is yet. This predator is stealing pigeon eggs. It happened twice now to make a total of 4 eggs it has stole. The pigeons is in a chicken coop I have, and the nests are attatched to the wall up about 4 feet from the floor. The pigeon will lay the eggs, (2 eggs is all they set on at a time), and set on them a couple days or so, then they disappear. As stated above, I have not determined what it is yet, but I am guessing & leaning towards a snake or a ground squirrel. I am hoping to get it figured out soon, because I want to increase my pigeon flock.
