I have 5’ cattle Panels around my chicken coop on three sides. I orig put 5’ plastic 1/2” fence like chicken wire. It lasted awhile till something started chewing holes in it. My biggest predator is my own dogs. I raise mini schnauzers. I have two that want to climb out of their yard. They have killed a few chickens that flew over the fence, and were foraging close to the dog fence. Since I have put a Hotwire at the top of my dog fence.
Now I’m having a problem with snakes and squirrels. I’ve seen a snake that had just swallowed three eggs. And squirrels holding eggs in their little grubby hands. There are quite a few rats around due to a huge tree that fell. The grass has grown up under the tree. I’ve called tree guys several times but so far no one has shown up. I know the rats are attracting the snakes.
I have a roll of flashing maybe 16” wide, I bought for something else that didn’t work out. I was thinking of using it instead of hardware cloth to bury around my coop. We have coyotes but because of the dogs, they don’t ever come up this close. But who knows if they get hungry enough???
I’ve replaced the plastic chicken wire with real 1” chicken wire 2’ tall and some 2’ tall hardware cloth, over 2”x4” welded wire. 6’ tall extended above my 5’ cattle panels with rebar post. The cattle panels are strong and I feel like they prevent large stray dogs from getting through.
I have quite a few breeds of rare bantams and several breeds of regular sized chickens.
I lost a Birchin Cochin bantam hen that was setting on a clutch of eggs. I noticed an egg missing two days in a row. Before I figured out what to do, my hen was dead with no signs of struggle. I think she fought a snake and lost.
I recently was trying to cut the tree up with a chain saw and a huge snake came out of the tall grass. I couldn’t catch it… it had to be 6’ long. I’m not one to usually kill non poisonous snakes but if he is going to get my eggs and kill my hens he’s got to go.
Im thinking of using some pavers and flashing at the bottom of the coop and up the corners.
My automatic coop door is a complete dud. Any further suggestions I would appreciate. I have rat snap traps, but are afraid a dog/cat/chicken or person might step on one. Those things look like that could take a toe off!
