Keeping kids out of the chicken coop

[Shayna]

Interesting ideas... My pot belly pigs always want to check out the chicken run for something to eat (and the chickens want to check out the pig pen for something to eat) but luckily pigs don't jump so I can just block the entrance with a small board or block that the birds can go over.

 

[mkeawsh]

Well...there is the old remedy they use to keep goats/cows/sheep from going through fences. A forked stick tied onto the neck(imagine a triangle shape when it is done)....doesn't allow them to enter smaller spaces so easily. Doesn't hurt them if you don't tie it too tightly but it needs to be snug enough that they can't get it off. It works easier on a cow than on smaller livestock.

You can also implement what I call the chicken tunnel....a hooped bit of fencing that creates a long tunnel(chicken and duck sized if they squat a little) entrance into your pop door. Not many other animals will crawl all that way to get to the coop....but a chicken will because they are conditioned to go there.

Or...you could feed from a trough style feeder and only feed your chickens and ducks once a day and just enough that they clean it up right then and there. Anything left over would be minimal and the kids could lick up the dust and welcome to it. I place 2x3 welded wire over my trough so that the chickens can't get in it and scratch nor can they effectively flick out feed. This is also a good way to minimize feed loss to rodents at night....you'd be amazed how much they can pack away from your continuous type feeders.

WOW! The tunnel is such a good idea. I have five chicken doors and two of them I have to keep permanently closed because I could not figure out how to make something that these determined, stubborn Myotonic goats could not squeeze and crawl in to. I will get started on making tunnels later today.

Thank you!!!!:

 

[Kadjain]

Big mistake using the type of wire fence I used. The spot where the wire is connected has a sharp point that cut someone and cause blood to spread over the feeder...oops.

Also on the smaller feeder they could move the fence over and get some of the feed.

So I change the type of wire fence piece I used and drilled holes and fed the wire through to lock it down.

FINISHED!

 

[Ms. Research]

Big mistake using the type of wire fence I used. The spot where the wire is connected has a sharp point that cut someone and cause blood to spread over the feeder...oops.
http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/5591_kid_proof_chicken_feeders_006.jpg
http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/5591_kid_proof_chicken_feeders_007.jpg
Also on the smaller feeder they could move the fence over and get some of the feed.
http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/5591_kid_proof_chicken_feeders_008.jpg
So I change the type of wire fence piece I used and drilled holes and fed the wire through to lock it down.
http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/5591_kid_proof_chicken_feeders_012.jpg
http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/5591_kid_proof_chicken_feeders_010.jpg
http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/5591_kid_proof_chicken_feeders_013.jpg
FINISHED!
http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/5591_kid_proof_chicken_feeders_009.jpg
http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/5591_kid_proof_chicken_feeders_011.jpg

Hope it's all OK now. Hey you try something, unfortunately sometimes it doesn't work exactly right. New one looks good. Hoping it works out better for you.

K

 

[Beekissed]

I'm still wondering how that keeps the kids out of the feeder....my grown sheep would make short work of that in about two seconds. They can still fit their noses into the spaces and lick up any grains.

 

[Kadjain]

I've seen them try and they can only reach a little bit and that's if they work it just right. The feeders are hanging and when they push on the wire the feeder swings. They get frustrated after a little bit and just leave it alone. I'll try to get pictures if I see them diong it again.

 

[Beekissed]

Well, that works!

 

[Kadjain]

If my adult goats got in there they would just tear it up but it's working well for the kids...for now...

 

[Kadjain]

A little video that kinda proves it works
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8A4lxKp-JA