Larger Predators & Thieves -
Protecting the Poultry Flock by
Katie Thear
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 cat or dog, or both, to stake a territorial
claim that will be heeded. Domestic cats and dogs will usually learn
not to chase poultry or other stock on their own territory. Young
puppies may need to be trained in this respect.
Other people's dogs should be kept out and normal garden
fencing is usually adequate for this. For more open areas, where
hedges, may be more common, aim to keep the hedge well managed and
pruned to provide thick lower growth, or use netting to block off
any gaps. As a matter of interest, the law states that dog owners
are responsible for keeping their animals out of other people's
property. The cat, however, is recognised as 'having a natural
propensity to roam.' A poultry keeper is responsible for keeping
his birds confined.
In Britain, we do not have predators larger than the fox, unless
you believe the stories of the escaped puma/large cat, etc. In this
case, a resident dog provides a good warning, as will as a sharp-eyed
guinea fowl perched in a tree.
Two-legged Thieves (People!)
Items such as ladders and garden or workshop
tools should be locked inside a secure building. A garden spade can
be used to lever open doors.
Finally, it is worth remembering that one of the most effective
predators is the human thief. Some traditional breeds of poultry
are rare and become the focus of unscrupulous breeders. This is particularly
true of game fowl where there is a steady trade serving illegal cock
fighting. Christmas poultry are also at risk.
Walls and fences can be extended with trellis for climbing plants,
such as roses, whose thorns will also act as a deterrent. For other
boundaries, particularly longer ones around land dense, prickly hedging
such as hawthorn or Rosa rugosa against wire mesh fence are effective.
Items such as ladders and garden or workshop tools should be locked
inside a secure building. A garden spade can be used to lever open
doors.
External lights can be used around the house and outbuildings.
The lighting can be adapted to switch on when someone approaches,
by fitting an internal controller to set how long the light remains
on after it has been triggered.
To protect large open areas, some form of surveillance equipment
may be needed. An infra-red beam system can be installed, which will
not be triggered by cats, dogs or birds and which can be linked to
a combination of lights and alarms as required. A radio beam transmitter
can pick up intruders and trigger an alarm in the house some distance
away, without the intruders being aware that they have been detected.
There are many professional firms to install systems. Whatever is
used, make sure that the installation and maintenance conform to
nationally recognized standards such as the British Standard BS4737.
Many areas now also have 'neighbourhood watch' schemes where people
cooperate to their mutual benefit.
Protecting The Poultry Flock - by Katie Thear
See Also
Article Copyright © Katie Thear 2006 |
