Physical Predation Protection

Before embarking on establishment of a farm and its animals, one needs to identify an area that will be most suitable and free of any predators.

Predators can cause huge losses to the farmer. While physical methods of predator protection like deer deterrents are often costly, the losses however that one might incur outweigh much than the cost. Therefore, it is not only suitable but a necessity to invest in good predator prevention systems and structures that will warrant effective security of the vegetables and farm animals.

An electrical fence is the most useful and guaranteed method for deer deterrents. The construction of the fence is important for the protection from various types of predators. A fence that is just off the ground by some inches will keep out predators that are not able to jump over the fence and a good example is the skunk. However for predators such a foxes that have the ability to jump over the fence, then a much higher fence that is far beyond the jumping capability of the animal is required.

The solution to keep both these types of predators away would be to have a fence that has alternating lengths at different points around the farm. Some predators are known to dig below the fence to gain access into the farms. This can be prevented by using mesh fences that are buried deep into the ground or by electric nets that are used to keep underground predators away. The mesh fences have to be checked frequently and those that have lost their tensile strength replaced.

Installing lights around the farm can also be of help protect chickens and other animals. The light can be stationary or those that are in motion. These lights not only help the farmer to keep an eye on the farm, but also help in scaring off the predators by creating fear of discovery in the animal.

If the farmer decides to keep poultry, then a good, sound and secure housing is required. To protect chickens, a tough coop is required. Bigger animals can also be able to protect the chickens by building the coop inside the housing of the other animals for example the chicken coop can be built inside the pig sty.

The farmer can also make use of traps in the farm or hire the services of a trapper. The traps are a good way of protection but they offer many disadvantages. Amongst these are that the traps can only be set out in the night when every one is asleep to avoid hurting humans. Another disadvantage is that animals have their own mind and will react to experiences that have had therefore when a trap is set in the same place the animal will attempt to find a safer route into the farm and thus avoiding the traps. Though this can be remedied by altering the positions of the traps every day, it is labor intensive and also time consuming.

Though these are all tried and tested methods for protecting the farm against predators, they cannot be used alone and have to be combined with other methods so as to ensure effective protection of the farm from predators.