Any chicken farmers out there?
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Any chicken farmers out there?
Any chicken farmers out there?
Would appreciate any info anyone might have regarding faina (marten) attacks on chickens. We lost two earlier this year and another three last night after making a “Fort Knox” of our chicken coop. Has anyone dealt with these animals successfully as in trapping, killing, dissuading, etc?
Neighbors have no coop, chickens live outdoors all day and night, however they have a dog that protects them. Is there a Hertz rent-a-dog service anywhere as we are here just half-time and cannot have a permanent dog.
Any suggestions other than buying our eggs appreciated.
Thanks,
Fred
Would appreciate any info anyone might have regarding faina (marten) attacks on chickens. We lost two earlier this year and another three last night after making a “Fort Knox” of our chicken coop. Has anyone dealt with these animals successfully as in trapping, killing, dissuading, etc?
Neighbors have no coop, chickens live outdoors all day and night, however they have a dog that protects them. Is there a Hertz rent-a-dog service anywhere as we are here just half-time and cannot have a permanent dog.
Any suggestions other than buying our eggs appreciated.
Thanks,
Fred
casa del campanile- Elder
- Posts : 55
Join date : 2013-07-07
Re: Any chicken farmers out there?
I've seen this subject done to death somewhere, but can't recall where. They had 10' fences, everything... End result/opinion was get a Maremma (Abruzzo sheepdog), not chickens lost...
stevegwmonkseaton- Elder
- Location : Abruzzo
Posts : 1927
Join date : 2013-05-20
Re: Any chicken farmers out there?
Sorry to hear that, Fred. It looks as if he (quite possibly a male) considers that your place is now his territory and your coop his local supermarket. A very difficult situation and a dog will not help as martens are good climbers. Their worst ennemies are foxes and golden eagles who would certainly scare him away. They are active at dusk and during the night, but do not confront him, as they have attacked humans. just be careful...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sportvideo/9922595/Pine-marten-invades-football-pitch-and-bites-player.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sportvideo/9922595/Pine-marten-invades-football-pitch-and-bites-player.html
Last edited by Gala Placidia on Sat Aug 02, 2014 7:24 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : add link)
Gala Placidia- Moderator
- Posts : 1840
Join date : 2013-05-20
Re: Any chicken farmers out there?
Bit more of an expert I think... Fox pest LINK . I'll try to dig out the other forum post later. But the dog does not have to climb as it was in with the chickens. The type of dog referred to specifically seems to consider them as part of its extended family. They used to kill wolves, so I don't think a marten will be a problem, if a marten it is that is your problem?
stevegwmonkseaton- Elder
- Location : Abruzzo
Posts : 1927
Join date : 2013-05-20
Re: Any chicken farmers out there?
Well I went back to 2010 and still no post on the subject, sorry.... But here is another 2 links a bit more specific to the marten. Looking at both links, it seems there is no easy answer, cheapest would be a basic lock them up at night. However this first LINK suggests they will eat during the day... [url=http://www.npws.ie/publications/archive/VWT Pine Marten leaflet.pdf]This LINK[/url] tends to suggest an electric fence being the best solution. A Maremma in a compound might be cheaper... ! One last thing that struck me when reading these link is that they kill more to shut them up and because it's easy as they are confined by their own protective fence... Perhaps leaving them out is the best option, along with bolt holes all over for them to scurry off to. The marten would then have to be there a long time to get them all... Do hope you find a solution....
stevegwmonkseaton- Elder
- Location : Abruzzo
Posts : 1927
Join date : 2013-05-20
Re: Any chicken farmers out there?
Thanks all for your responses. In this instance we are fairly certain it is a faina. The night before, the neighbor’s watchdog had chased a faina and it, the faina, ended up perched on the roof of the church just below our house. We saw it in the afternoon running around the roof, we guess looking for a safe exit. We took extra precautions that night locking the chickens in earlier than usual.
After the attack and wipeout of our flock, we found a tiny tunnel under the foundation in a little corner behind a rain barrel into the coop. We are now in the process of reinforcing the coop and stable to prevent any future incursions.
Thanks again for the help.
Fred
After the attack and wipeout of our flock, we found a tiny tunnel under the foundation in a little corner behind a rain barrel into the coop. We are now in the process of reinforcing the coop and stable to prevent any future incursions.
Thanks again for the help.
Fred
casa del campanile- Elder
- Posts : 55
Join date : 2013-07-07
Re: Any chicken farmers out there?
Thanks for the update Fred, hopefully it wont come back .
stevegwmonkseaton- Elder
- Location : Abruzzo
Posts : 1927
Join date : 2013-05-20
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