Anti-Predator Defenses - A shepherd must defend his flock.

[Bucephalus]

If you keep livestock, one of the many values that will be instilled in you is a deep, lingering hatred for any woodland creature larger than a groundhog not named "deer" or "moose." Raccoons, owls, hawks, foxes, badgers, weasels, fishercats, bobcats, coyotes, black bears, wolves, and the rare mountain lion all seem to share an uncanny ability to come out of the forest, hone in on our barnyard buddies, and mercilessly rip them to shreds.

Farmers of the Kiwi Farms, how do you keep your livestock safe from predators?
Also feel free to mourn any past and/or recent losses to predators ITT.

 

[Dr. Ricearoni]

I don't have livestock of my own yet but I've been doing some research and everyone says to avoid chicken wire when building your coop and to use hardware cloth instead. Also, put it down deep to keep burrowers out.

 

[Freshly Baked Socks]

I am sort of surprised how easy it is to buy a suppressor these days, and a tax stamp isn't that much money.



Alternately, a blunted crossbow bolt can be used for varmint deterrence, without disturbing kinfolk nearby.

 

[Pretend To Imagine]

If you don’t want to go the suppressor route you can use .22 CB rounds for low noise

I am sort of surprised how easy it is to buy a suppressor these days, and a tax stamp isn't that much money.

View attachment 6149062

Alternately, a blunted crossbow bolt can be used for varmint deterrence, without disturbing kinfolk nearby

 

[Cat Hyde Boots]

I hunt predators on ranches as a little side thing and I've found hunting on a vehicle with lights to be more effective than walking around with thermal. Call them towards you, scan with your light, then use the light to blind them. Works wonders.

The most important thing is to never turn off the light. The light blinds them and allows you to see them in that 10 second window you have to spot them. They do not recognize the light as a sign of danger. They actually seem more attracted to it than anything. I've gotten bobcats as close to 10 yards away from me.

You can also use thermal along with the light. Thermal sees heat, the light doesn't affect it at all. Thermal is very good at increasing your scanning distance, which increases the window you have to spot them. Highly recommend you use both.

 

[Ethel_Blucifer]

I don't have livestock of my own yet but I've been doing some research and everyone says to avoid chicken wire when building your coop and to use hardware cloth instead. Also, put it down deep to keep burrowers out.

You'll need a secure bottom because of burrowers, but it can be concrete or plywood (especially covered with something to keep it dry--some people recycle old linoleum that way). You can also make it elevated, to be a bit taller than the a wheelbarrow, for easy cleaning, you just push it up to the doors and pull everything out with a rake.