My bear proof chicken coop and free range with my llamas

[cchardwick]

Here are some photos of my Rhode Island Reds that free range with my lllamas. All of the structures you see I built with my sawmill. The llamas keep the bears and mountain lions away from the chickens and keep them safe. Without the llamas I lost whole flocks to the bears. I acutally built the chicken coop so that it's bear proof. Without the llamas I can keep them safe since the whole thing is bolted together using very thick boards. But with the llamas on guard I never have to close them up!

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Llamas! Really...where are you? Looks nice...do they go after other predators too?

 

[cchardwick]

I'm in the mountains of Colorado. I have a six foot chain link around about a half acre that surrounds them. That keeps out the coyotes, wolves, and dogs. The bears and mountain lions still can get in but the llamas run at them and spit in their face! I also used to have hawks swoop in and kill a chicken or two. The llamas keep the hawks away too. So far it's been about three years with the llamas and I haven't lost any to predators. A few used to drown in the water tank but after I put a thick plank in there that solved that problem. I also had a couple die, I think the llamas kicked one last year and the year before that I think they laid on one and squashed it, but that's pretty rare.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Just the excuse I need to get me some llamas! I saw a young one while gassing up and almost asked where it came from...very cool looking. How about panthers though...any danger there?

 

[cchardwick]

You'll want at least two llamas as they are herd animals. Three is ideal, very intimidating when they all run at you. They seem to repel the panthers and we have lots of them up here.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Hmmm, prob pretty pricey, do you shear them?

 

[cchardwick]

I don't shear them because last year it was 40 degrees below zero for a week straight, they need the fur up here. Right now there are droughts nation wide and you can get free llamas by the dozen. It's the hay that's expensive, about $1,000 per year for the three of them. It's for sure a hobby, not a money maker.

 

[Queen Bee]

Well, your herd and flock are beautiful... I have a friend who runs Llama with her sheep and she hasn't lost one sheep/chicken/swan/ goose since they arrived. She swears by them.. BUT in the south they must be sheared.

 

[CDennis]

Oh wow! My answer....well at least a start. I keep having chickens and ducks killed I think by foxes, a great horned owl and maybe coyotes (my fence is just 4 feet). I found some llama's for sale and was wondering if they would protect my flock. Sounds like if the foxes got it the llamas would run them off??!?!!?!