Predator Control: Thieves on the Homestead

One of the biggest challenges faced by homesteaders is the presence of predators. From coyotes in the pasture to raccoons in the chicken coop, predators can cause significant loss in a small amount of time. Maybe you have walked out to your  chicken tractors  only to find one of your  chickens has been attacked by an opossum.  Or maybe you have walked through your  garden to harvest the watermelon you’ve been waiting to ripen.  And there it sits,  half eaten,  being consumed by  bugs.  You’ve  been  robbed by thieves on the homestead! It’s time to implement some homestead predator control!

Predator Control on the Homestead

Most  people accept this loss as “a part of homesteading.”  But let me ask you something. If you raise animals or vegetables and something bad happens, that you could have prevented, don’t you try to learn from your mishap to make sure it doesn’t happen again?

Earlier in the season we were raising chicks under a red shatter proof bulb. Chicks started  dropping like flies. At  first,  we just thought it was part of homesteading. Later  we figured  out that the coating on the shatterproof  bulb  releases a toxic gas that kills the chicks. So rather than accept this loss, we found a different bulb to keep the chicks warm.

This time of  year,  I see so many posts, videos and pictures where people are sharing their loss from predators.  Yet  very few of them mention a plan of attack to fix the problem.  Most  accept the loss as a cost of producing your own food and move on. But why accept it? Why not do something to change it?

This is where predator control comes in.

Why Should You Create a Homestead Predator Control Plan?

In  my opinion there are many  reasons why predator control is so important. The obvious reason  is to prevent any loss of livestock or produce.   But there is a  subtler  reason  that  most people don’t consider.

Predators Cause Stress

Let’s  say  an  opossum,  one  of the most common  predators  on a homestead,  gets into your chicken coop and eats one laying hen.  Chances are the  remaining hens are going to stop laying because they are now stressed out.

Predators Can Introduce New Pests

Or, what if you have a rabbit get into your garden, chews  on a melon  and doesn’t finish it?  Then you have all kinds of insects that are now going to be attracted to that fruit and  will  damage,  if not kill that plant.  So,  you will not only lose that one fruit or one hen.  You will also lose the  future  production from the plant and other hens.

Predators Can Be Dangerous for You & Your Family

A strain on the food  source in an  area  can cause animals to  become more aggressive and take on bigger risks  to  eat.  Also, when  their food  source is  strained,  a  predator will relocate  to follow a new food source. What does that mean to the homesteader? Well,  not only do you have to worry about  predators  killing your  livestock  or eating your fruits and vegetables,  now you have to worry about  them  moving  into your attic, feed shed or barn.  This can be very  dangerous for you,  the  homesteader.  Don’t believe me?  Walk up on a mama  raccoon with her babies  and  then  tell me  it’s  not dangerous, that is  if you survive that encounter.\

Predators Can Spread Disease

Another  problem with an overpopulated area  is a rise in different diseases  that could have an effect on  you  and your livestock  like mange, distemper, rabies and so on.  In order to keep your animals and crops safe and productive, a good predator control plan is necessary.

Effective predator control ensures livestock safety, garden protection, peace of mind, and a balance between man, livestock, and wildlife.

Common Homestead Predators

Different regions will have different threats, but some of the most common homestead predators around the US include coyotes, raccoons, foxes, hawks, snakes, bears, and owls. Domestic dogs and cats can become predators as well if they are able to get to your animals.

Homestead Predator Control: What’s Your Plan?

So, what can you do for predator control on your homestead?

Evaluate Your Homestead

Look at your current fencing, shelters, food storage systems, etc. to find any areas that may be susceptible to predators and thieves. Is there anything that may attract predators (ex. food left out at night)? What ways could they potentially get to your animals? It is also a good idea to monitor your current predator activity to see what animals you are up against.

Secure Shelters

Make your animal shelters as predator proof as possible. Use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire on chicken coops, avoid simple door latches that raccoons can open, don’t leave gaps in fencing (raccoons can squeeze through a 4 inch hole), bury wire or create a wire skirt around shelters to prevent digging. Put food away and lock animals up at night.

Improve Fencing

Is your fencing only good for keeping livestock in or is it also effective in keeping homestead predators out? Check your perimeter fence for holes and weak spots. Reinforce where needed and add electric fencing or barbed wire in vulnerable areas. Electric fence is a great predator deterrent. Electric netting or multiple strands of wire can be used.

Introduce a Livestock Guardian Animal

Adding a livestock guardian can be particularly useful in homestead predator control. Livestock Guardian Dogs and donkeys are well-known for scaring & fighting off predators. Geese and guineas can also be used, but more as an alert system. These birds get loud when they perceive a threat so other animals can seek shelter.

Use Motion Activated Deterrents

Consider installing motion-activated floodlights, sprinklers, or noise devices to scare off animals who are attempting to sneak up on your livestock.

Learn to Trap & Hunt

If you want to take an even more proactive approach, learn to trap and hunt the predators that stalk your homestead animals. Be sure that you educate yourself on the laws surrounding trapping & hunting and what animals are protected.

Want to learn more? Check out Jason’s extensive YouTube playlist with over 25 videos covering predator control management on the homestead!