Failure to use electric fencing will likely result in loss of birds and coop damage. Electric fencing is easy to set up and safe around kids and pets. Properly maintained electric fencing is the only way to protect chickens or other poultry from bears. As the bear range expands eastward toward the most densely populated communities of Massachusetts, bear sightings are increasing in these areas and residents, especially those who keep backyard chickens, should take steps to prevent conflicts with bears.Ĭoops and chicken wire provide inadequate protection from black bears. Bears will revisit the same areas repeatedly if food is readily available. Bears will spend time in areas where human-associated foods like poultry feed, garbage, compost, livestock, and beehives are easy to find. Common in central and western Massachusetts, black bears are expanding their range east to the Route 495 corridor. The state’s bear population is estimated at over 4,500 animals. As backyard chicken farming has increased in popularity across the Bay State, conflict with black bears has also greatly increased. Almost every bear in Massachusetts has learned this behavior. MassWildlife and the Environmental Police receive calls daily about bears breaking into chicken coops. Black bears killing chickens and damaging coops is becoming the number one source of human-bear conflict in Massachusetts.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |