Predators on the Homestead - The Basics
Predators are around the homestead even if you see no sign of them.
Let's take a look at the basics of how they interfere with your objectives of raising small animals for meat and eggs.
This is the basic knowledge you need to start understanding your small animal adversaries and how to deal with them.
What you select and how you go about doing it is largely your choice, but each choice has a place in your playbook.
Your job is to know what will work best to eliminate or avoid problems caused by predators.
The following can be considered predators for the animals that homesteaders keep; mice, rats, domestic dogs and cats, coyote, fox, raccoons, skunks, birds of prey, snakes, bears and cougars.
There are many others, but these often comprise the bulk of what you'll encounter when you try to raise your own meat and eggs.
Let's take a look at the basics of how they interfere with your objectives of raising small animals for meat and eggs.
This is the basic knowledge you need to start understanding your small animal adversaries and how to deal with them.
- No matter where you go, it's always a struggle between animals that want to occupy the same space.
It's either cooperative or competitive.
When it comes to predators, it's mostly competitive, and they view us as just another animal with which to compete.
Your job is to be a better competitor. - Whether growing vegetables or raising chickens, what you have is seen as "free food" or fair game for your adversaries.
They're especially appreciative of you providing them with a wide selection of food - all at seemingly no cost.
Your job is to make it cost them something. - Determine what kind of animal you're dealing with.
To do this, you'll have to know a little about reading tracks, identifying scat, and knowing a bit about animal behavior.
Each animal has distinct characteristics that are identifiable.
If you know your animal problem, you'll be able to figure out what kind of behavior you're likely to face. - Depending on your animal adversary, you may have a daytime problem, a recurring unwanted visitor at night, or a clever critter that hunts and gathers during the day and night.
Know when you're vulnerable to predation.
What you select and how you go about doing it is largely your choice, but each choice has a place in your playbook.
Your job is to know what will work best to eliminate or avoid problems caused by predators.
The following can be considered predators for the animals that homesteaders keep; mice, rats, domestic dogs and cats, coyote, fox, raccoons, skunks, birds of prey, snakes, bears and cougars.
There are many others, but these often comprise the bulk of what you'll encounter when you try to raise your own meat and eggs.
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