PREDATION OF POULTRY, THE CONSEQUENCE AND ITS CONTROL
Chethan G N, Arul Sabareeswaran T A, Induja T R and Alimudeen S
Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education
College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode
KVASU, Kerala
Introduction
The backyard flock is many things to many people. Its value is not only in the meat and eggs it provides, but also a means of income source it provides to countless individuals and families across the country. Predation of backyard and small scale poultry has been one of the most important constraint encountered by rural and semi urban poultry keepers. Poultry injured or killed by predators often lead to serious economic consequences for producers. Poultry producers should be aware of the possibility of losses to predators. Owners of small flocks usually have more difficulty with predators than those with large flocks, primarily due to differences in housing and scavenging method of rearing. Dogs are one of the most common poultry predators. This problem can be especially troublesome for those that live close to neighbours. Dogs will often chase and maul birds and leave them lying around the yard. Isolated cases of damage by vultures, snakes, cats, rodents and foxes also have been reported. Dogs are the important offending animal specifically addressed in Indian context.
Within reason, producers should make every effort to prevent or minimize poultry losses from predation through good husbandry and the strategic use of deterrent strategies such as electric fence, guard animals and housing. Because physical, economic and animal management limitations may prevent complete deterrence of predators, it is important that producers fully understand their options. Anticipating problems and taking necessary preventative action is the best defence against predators.
Identification and characterising the Predators
A number of different predator species can cause economic losses on poultry flocks. Chicken flocks are often more prone than compare to other poultry, due to the size of birds. Moreover, younger, smaller birds are more prone to predation. In many instances, predators leave clues to their identity when they have visited a poultry house. From these clues, poultry producers may be able to identify the culprit and take the necessary steps to prevent a reoccurrence.
When several birds have been killed with mauled, but not eaten can suspect the predator as dogs. If one or two birds killed with lesions of deep marks on head and neck, some meat eaten then it could be an owl. Chicks missing with no other signs, then that might be snake, rat or domestic cat. If the eggs are missing or it may damage then it might be crows, snake or small rodents, at last several birds gone; missing with no clues then it would be human theft or fox.
Housing management for controlling backyard predation
Rural and semi urban ordinances housing system for small flocks and backyards are sometimes housed in not specifically designed for poultry. As a result, predators have easily access to the birds. Deep solid foundations without gaps or holes keep animals from tunnelling or gaining entry below the poultry house. Fences have major role in backyard, they not only keep the birds in a desired location, but when properly constructed, they keep out most predators. Proper fence construction around the run is essential but cover over the run will keep birds of prey out and prevent snakes.
Confining birds in a predator-proof coop every night is advisable. If birds have a fixed outdoor area, the fencing needs to go into the ground at least a foot deep and then make a right angled turn outward for at least another 8-10 inches to prevent predators from digging under the fence. A convenient method of burying the lower part of the fence is to plow a furrow of soil over the portion that will be buried. Tight-fitting windows and doors screened with poultry netting or hardware cloth keep unwanted visitors out. Hardware cloth or screen should have holes smaller than one inch. Further predator prevention can be provided by simply cleaning around the poultry house. Regular cut short of grass and weeds and remove shrubs and debris to minimize cover for predators.
Another option for protecting a flock is to keep the flock confined in floorless pens that are moved around on pasture routinely, will provide more protection. Moveable floorless pens or “chicken-tractors” can provide protection while having the ability to move the pen. Temporary electrified fences can be used for pasture pens and are effective at deterring larger mammalian ground predators. For an electrified fence, the amount of electricity used should be enough to stun but not kill an animal. Aside from being less dangerous to people, this type of fence more effectively keeps predators away from a flock.
(Source: Predator Management with Small and Backyard Flocks – Extension webinar by Dr. Thomas Barnes, University of Kentucky)
Role of Guardian dogs
Guardian dogs are an excellent predator control option for free-range birds with the ability to provide protection both during the day and at night. If well-trained, these dogs are extremely effective at deterring predators, both during the day and at night. This approach to predator control requires that the dogs stay with the flock at all times. These dogs do a decent job regulating raptors, but are not known to be successful with snake and rodent species. Other options for guardian animals are donkeys, this guardian work well in controlling canine predators.
Other Management Practices
Prevention is one of the major task to control predation, that comprises several other managemental practices includes; remove everything that could attract predators. Remove sick, dying and dead birds immediately. Disposal and/or carcass composting should take place far away from the poultry house. Ensure that the area where the birds live is clean and well-kept, with no food left in the run. Some predators also are scavengers and can be attracted to trash, remove trash receptacles and minimize open feed bins in proximity of the poultry house. A few ways to prevent snakes from getting their meals from flock is to keep eggs picked up. Find any nests that hens may be hiding. Protect chicks and young birds by confining them in pens made with wire openings that are too small for snakes to enter, such as rat wire.
Properly constructing or retrofitting a poultry coop and managing the facilities with prevention in mind will be the best action. Motion-sensor lighting and loud noises may help keep predators away from chickens. Some predators, however, may become accustomed to the lighting and noises so their usefulness is limited. Objects with motion, i.e., flags and pinwheels, scarecrows and dummy predator birds, chemical/pheromone repellents and diversion feeding are other management practices that can be adopted.
Conclusion
Take adequate steps to avoid such attacks. Provide adequate housing and fencing, and check often for breaches in defenses. Prevention is the easiest and most effective method to control predation. A little extra time and effort spent protecting poultry will produce healthy, intact flocks at market time and the peace of mind knowing that predation is not a problem.
