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There are a lot of critters out there who are classified as chicken predators, even some that you might never expect.
Chickens for Backyards can help you identify potential predators that might be after your chickens such as badgers.
Other Chicken Predators
About Badgers
Badgers are found throughout the United States, making them a threat to chickens virtually anywhere. They prefer open country lands as opposed to forestry, and their build as members of the weasel family is easy to spot. Badgers typically have long front claws, a stout, medium-sized upper body, and that signature white stripe across its head. Badgers love to prey on smaller animals and their preferred diet often includes chickens if they can get to them.
Use Fencing to Protect Your Chickens
Chickens need protection against predators, badgers included. Luckily, there are a few ways to keep those pesky badgers away from your chickens. Let’s start first with fencing. If you’re in an area prone to badgers, then it’s worth investing in a mesh fencing that is buried at least 12 inches as badgers usually dig underneath fences to get in. To cut costs, buy mesh fencing around where your chickens sleep at night, rather than the entire property. Also: consider an electric fence if you’ve had problems with predators before.
Scare Them Away
You can also try scaring badgers away. For this tactic, look no further than high-intensity lights at night which badgers tend to stay away from. However, like mesh fencing, there’s a cost to this tactic; so if you decide to go through with it, place the light in a strategic position that will cover all of your chickens.
Lay Traps
Last but not least, consider trappings. If you’ve exhausted the other options, or are looking for a cheaper option, than laying traps along the perimeter of your fencing will deter the critters from entering. You’ll just have to keep an eye on them—if badgers learn to get around these, then you’ll have to lay more.
With these tactics in hand, your chickens should be safe and sound from this North American predator. For any other questions or concerns you may have regarding the safety of your poultry, contact us today at Chickens for Backyards!
