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Original poster

Chickens going missing- can’t believe why!

40 replies

RuralLiving · 19/07/2022 12:49

Hi, after some advice. We live very rurally and have a small flock of chickens. We’ve never had any issues with predators (lots of shooting here so fox numbers are very low) but recently several of the chickens have gone missing. Couldn’t work out what was happening so set up a Wildlife camera and discovered a badger! Any ideas on how to get rid of it? Obviously we’ve been keeping the chickens locked in, reinforced the fences etc, but What can we do about the badger? The chickens are free roaming and usually put themselves to bed in the barn, but I daren’t risk that anymore :(
i found a large humane animal trap online, but am I allowed to relocate a badger? What are the rules?

OP posts:
Original poster
RuralLiving · 19/07/2022 15:01

No, they were locked in a large chicken wired area during avian flu (I have said this, they were fine) but we just leave the door open now.

my issue isn’t with them being locked up, as I’ve said, they’re locked up every night now. It’s how to get the badger to bugger off and leave them alone completely

OP posts:
skyeisthelimit · 19/07/2022 15:05

Everyone I know who has chicken, shut them away at night to keep them safe from predators, it is just part of living in the country. We all know that if you don't then they will be killed by foxes, badgers etc.

Even with secure coops, they can still get in. :(

There is nothing you can do about the badger, not legally so you need to protect your chicken properly or give them to somebody who will properly look after them.

justasking111 · 19/07/2022 15:06

We introduced some guinea fowl I incubated them. The racket they made scared off the Foxes. Perhaps that would help

Original poster
RuralLiving · 19/07/2022 15:19

Thanks @justasking111 , I’ll have a look at that!

@skyeisthelimit i am looking after them properly. We’ve had chickens for years and haven’t lost a single one. This is the first time any have been killed and I’ve said multiple times that I’m locking them up now to keep them safe

OP posts:
SirenSays · 19/07/2022 15:24

I've always locked chickens away at night. Guinea fowl are great protectors, though I'm not sure how they are around badgers

QuestionableMouse · 19/07/2022 16:12

When I had chickens, I had outer electric fencing running from a solar battery. It wasn't a strong shock, just enough to keep the neighbour's bastard dog out! Maybe an idea?

(not sure if it's legal - obviously I don't want to badger to be hurt but a couple of shocks might convince it to head elsewhere?)

Original poster
RuralLiving · 19/07/2022 16:22

@QuestionableMouse we’ve got electric fences for the horses, I could maybe look at moving them around, but I don’t want to hurt it? I just want it to leave my chickens alone

OP posts:
TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 19/07/2022 16:26

Pretty sure electric fences are legal, but shooting badgers definitely isn’t. You need to run the electric fence quite low to the ground.

HelloChompy · 19/07/2022 17:03

I would run electric fence tape round the bottom of the barn. As @TooExtraImmatureCheddar says, it needs to be quite low. When they are in for the night then turn the fence on and off again when you let them out. We have it around the bottom of our Girls' enclosure.

Original poster
RuralLiving · 19/07/2022 17:52

@TooExtraImmatureCheddar i definitely don’t want to kill it :) I just want it to stop killing my chickens. I’ll have a go with the electric fence though, thanks

OP posts:
CharlotteOH · 19/07/2022 18:06

RatherBeRiding · 19/07/2022 13:09

Badgers are protected so you must take steps to secure your chickens. Rather than assuming they will put themselves to bed, you must ensure they are all in before the badgers become active.

Reinforcing fencing and making sure they are secure at night will probably do the trick.

Alternatively, try leaving out food and water for the badgers, who will be having a tough time with this hot weather.

This.

The problem isn’t the badger, it’s your complete failure to secure your land and/or protect your flock.

Amazed foxes haven’t taken them all already. If you (illegally) harm
the badger, some other predator will just come along instead, as you are currently providing an unprotected free larder…

Yes I know the internet says you can free range chickens round the clock and they’ll be fine. I know several families who tried out that idea. They all had to buy a lot of new chickens before they gave up on free range.

The internet isn’t always correct 😱😱

mumwon · 19/07/2022 18:28

one thing I have heard about scaring cats off is to go to your local zoo & get some lion poo (mind boggles how you get this)

willyouwontyoubemine · 20/07/2022 08:56

Just put your chickens to bed at night.

I have 2 sets of 2 rabbits in attached runs and I put them to bed and lock them in hutches when I go to bed.

2 of them are party animals and would happily stay up til 1 or 2 am if I let them. But I'm in charge.

Your chickens need a curfew set by you, not by them.

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