sorry, i'm not always able to see things like that, but from all designs of fencing that is the method recommended so good job!glad to hear that it works.
If you have a bear , badger or volverine in the 'hood, then all bets are off. In our neck of the woods in Central Cal. there isn't anyone raising chickens for miles around due to bears, cougars, badgers and coyotes as all four can and do get in a chicken enclosure with brute force. Many have tried as evidenced by empty /abandoned chicken housing.
Maybe check craigslist for manure. I found 2 different people who sell and deliver in my area.
On the other hand, we have all of the above and I have never lost a chicken to a predator, excepting the two cockerels that got out and were hawk bait.
I have no idea why this is, I don't do anything extraordinary and my coop and run are not Fort Knox.
We had raccoon tracks in the bottom of the dogs wading pool, and a coyote circling around the run one morning. A cougar was seen and photographed lounging in the neighbors driveway, bears have passed through on the gas line, coyotes are abundant... so
They have not been an issue yesterday or today, but what about tomorrow ? Your area may have enough easy prey to not bother your stock, but when the native prey becomes scarecer, what happens next ?
This idea MAY work to a point, BUT in our area the smallest parcels are 20 acres ranging to 10,000 acres. So, are you saying that we could put in a water line to the edge of this size of property just to provide water to a predator ? One would have to take out a huge loan to pay for it what with boulders and hard pans up to a foot thick at or just inches below the surface Now , my neighbors house sits within 20 yards of our mutual property line. I am sure Steve and Betty would be thrilled to have Wiley Coyote come over to quench his thirst and chat for a wile. A .308 / .223 works far better.
Thank you for the welcome and words of encouragement!!
