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10:04 pm
October 31, 2010
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Update on Solar Nite Guards
I borrowed a trail camera and got photos of raccoons standing right next to the lights. So much for effectiveness w/raccoons. (I do live on a highway and although there are 12 acres here, a lot of neighbors all around so raccoons are probably acclimated to lights and people noises and areas.)
I also trapped a total of 11 (!) raccoon adults, 3 raccoon babies and 3 opossums early this summer. Hopefully that helped thin out the population here somewhat!
5:27 pm
October 5, 2010
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might think about getting the thing called the scare crow. It is hook up to a garden hose.
Havahart 5265 Spray Away Motion Detector Sprinkler Animal Repellent
We have not had any problems with it. It certainly kept deer out of our garden. I am glad I didn't invest in those night guards then. I heard they only last 2-3 years and for the price of them they should last longer.
6:39 pm
October 31, 2010
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Hmmmm I wonder how those would affect hawks if I put it up high on a fence post or on top of the hen house?
7:47 pm
December 14, 2010
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Hawks are at least as smart as cats.
7:48 pm
October 5, 2010
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I am not sure. You will have to have it aim so the chickens don't trigger it off. It will go off with Those pesky white moths that lay eggs in my broccoli and cabbage. I think that help that out too. We have fencing on top of our cage area. I haven't let the chickens out that much. We had a scare one day. Hubby and I in garden and all of a sudden we heard a big ruckus and we ran over to them and notice one was gone. I thought how could a fox get one while we are right out side. Well I an dog ran through the woods to try to see what nab her. Hubby got rest of chickens back in their pen. I was upset I lost one. Well later on I went to close the coop door and their she was on the roost. She was inside the whole time. Hubby says now don't let them out. Too close to the woods. I want to get fencing so they won't go on back side of coop and their cage area that is next to the woods. Hoping that will keep them away from the woods and I can let them out. They want to come out. I do pull tall grass and pull grass in the yard to give them. Good luck on your decision and Hawks
8:39 pm
October 31, 2010
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So far mine have behaved themselves well whenever something has been overhead – even an airplane! I have a dog kennel w/chicken wire over the whole top. There is also a 4 ft. wide x 12 ft. long piece of shade cloth draped over one end to provide shade – but it also provides cover over the top of part of the kennel as well. (The shade cloth was an old banner my husband had laying around at his work…we both do graphic design and print banners on all kinds of things so I was able to salvage that and put it out there for shade.)
Off the kennel is 100 ft. of electronet from Premier that has no cover. I leave the gate open out to that net and so far, whenever they've been out in the net part, if something goes overhead they have run to the kennel and then inside the henhouse.
I have several ideas to provide some "moveable" overhead cover since we move the electronet to provide fresh pasture area as needed so it's in a different place every few weeks. I'm not sure I really need to do that, though, as they've been very sky-smart so far.
Some folks seem to have lots of problems w/hawks going after their chickens – then others I talk to say there are hawks all over their area and they don't even pay attention to the chickens. Not sure what makes the difference..perhaps availability of food…
10:31 pm
December 14, 2010
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For most hawks a chicken is too big a bird.
12:10 am
October 5, 2010
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The electronet sounds neat. Chickens don't get Zapped by it? How do you get your chickens to the fence area? Do you use the solar power?
8:31 am
October 31, 2010
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I set up the electronet so that the people gate to the kennel opens into the netting. I can either leave the gate shut when I don't want them out in the net or open the gate when I want them out.
Yes, I use a solar charger – the PRS-50 from premier. Here is a link to a video that shows how easily the netting goes up. I got the 48" high poultry net PLUS that has more posts than the regular poultry net.
http://www.premier1supplies.com/videos/player.php?video=installing_electronet&size=large
http://www.premier1supplies.com/fencing.php?mode=detail&fence_id=30
Definitely order their FULL CATALOG – they send it out free and it has LOTS of info on the fences comparing everything. You can also call them and they're pretty helpful in helping you figure out things.
As far as chickens getting zapped, they are a little bit insulated due to the heavy feathers, etc. Like any other animal, they learn quickly to stay away from the net. The way they would get "zapped" is most likely by comb/wattle touching it.
Here's another link to a 4 part article from Harvey Ussery on his experiences w/electronet.
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