When keeping Poultry one of the things you must consider is how to keep them safe. You should always assume there are predators in the area, even if your haven’t seen any around. Whether it be the common fox, mink, or even predators of the two-legged variety; you need to keep your flock safe.
These articles help guide you on the best protection from predators. Including protection in free range systems and using fully secure runs and housing.
Protecting Your Flock Articles
Dealing with Rat Infestations: Protecting the Poultry Flock
Pest Control Services
A householder can contact the local authority to obtain the free services of the pest control officer. He will visit and examine the site and then put down poison in protected areas.
This is followed by another visit to determine...
Electric Fences Protecting the Poultry Flock from Predators
The availability of electric fencing has transformed free-range poultry keeping. It is arguable that without it, the keeping of extensive commercial flocks would never have happened.
An electric fence circuit has four parts: the controller or energizing...
Foxes & Fences: Protecting the Poultry Flock from Foxes
The fox is undoubtedly predator number one when it comes to free-range poultry, and the only safe option is to keep flock and fox physically separated.
In the past, this was often difficult because landowners who would not allow effective fences...
Larger Predators & Thieves: Protecting the Poultry Flock
Feral Cats and Larger Predators
Sometimes feral or other people's pet cats can be a nuisance. A hen run can, if necessary, have garden netting put over it to keep them out, as detailed earlier. The most effective deterrent, however is to have your own...
Mink, Weasels, Stoats & Hawks Protecting the Poultry Flock
Pest Control Services
The best approach to dealing with mink, weasels or stoats is to fence them out, but the problem is that they are able to get in through small apertures, such as the gaps in ordinary netting.
A smooth fence such as galvanised...
Pest Control, Rats & Mice Protecting the Poultry Flock
Rats
Types of Rat
Brown rats, Rattus norvegicus, are major pests because they are so numerous. Historically, they are relatively recent arrivals that quickly displaced the indigenous Black rat.
Rat Problems
They eat and contaminate stored feeds,...
Pest Control, Traps & Deterrents Protecting the Poultry Flock against the Fox
Other Deterrents
Making sure that the hens are in their house and locked up at night is obviously common sense. Flimsy door catches on a house in an unprotected area present no great challenge to a determined fox.
There are electronic pop-hole closers...
