Raising chickens in the mountains

[davsel]

We're closing on a piece of mountain property paradise soon, and will be moving in next month.
We currently have 8 chickens (lost 2 to a fox just last night) and plan to have around 20 on the mountain.

Do any of yall raise chickens in the mountains?

My primary concern is predators. In the city, we have hawks and fox to contend with, but I've seen eagles and bear on the property we're moving to.
I figure I may have to build the pen out of chain-link.

Any advice is appreciated.

[Great-Kazoo]

don't forget owls' hawks and 4 legged ones.

[ChunkyMonkey]

I dont know if this one is bear proof... but a enclosed kennel should work for your purpose...Remember to go at least 12" deep into the ground too.

[BushMasterBoy]

I'd run a electric fence around it to keep out coyotes, fox, etc. The coyotes that live up around Cripple Creek didn't look like the coyotes in Pueblo, more like miniature wolves with really thick fur, larger in size too. I think the fence will deter most predators. Don't forget the mountain lions...

http://www.zarebasystems.com/learnin...ining/predator

[davsel]

I'd run a electric fence around it to keep out coyotes, fox, etc. The coyotes that live up around Cripple Creek didn't look like the coyotes in Pueblo, more like miniature wolves with really thick fur, larger in size too. I think the fence will deter most predators. Don't forget the mountain lions...

http://www.zarebasystems.com/learnin...ining/predator

Nice!
Had not thought of that.

[encorehunter]

The bears will tear down about any fence up. We haven't lost any to bears since we put an electric fence. We have lost 7 in the last week, but finally found the culprit. It is a big bobcat. We aren't quite sure how we are going to get him yet. I don't know if he is getting them during the day or night. They are locked up in their pen at night, but the door to the coop doesn't close. He may be getting in by climbing a tree and jumping over the fence.

[davsel]

The bears will tear down about any fence up. We haven't lost any to bears since we put an electric fence. We have lost 7 in the last week, but finally found the culprit. It is a big bobcat. We aren't quite sure how we are going to get him yet. I don't know if he is getting them during the day or night. They are locked up in their pen at night, but the door to the coop doesn't close. He may be getting in by climbing a tree and jumping over the fence.

I forgot, we had a bobcat jump into the road in front of the truck two weeks ago when we were up at the property. I understand there are also mountain lions in the area.

How did you string up your electric fence (how many wires, what height, what distance from the pen fence)?

[encorehunter]

And then there were none. The bobcat got the last three chickens last night. The fence is only 4 foot high with T posts. We put the chicken wire on the inside of the T posts and put the electric fence on the outside of the T posts. The bottom wire is about 8" off the ground and the other is about 4" below the top of the fence. It has worked great for bears, we even had some trail cam pictures of a couple bears walking around it. I think we will put the fence up another 4 feet to make it an 8 foot fence for when we can find more chickens.

[davsel]

Damn.
Sorry to hear that.
Sounds like you may need to trap the cat before trying again.

[Great-Kazoo]

Why didn't you have the top closed off?