Backyard Chickens' Urban Predators
Backyard chickens in Baltimore City are susceptible to a similar set of predators that threaten chickens in the country, but there are some different challenges to protecting your flock from predators in an urban environment. Simply because urban chickens live in a greater density of human and pet dog population, it is more likely that your flock could be attacked by an unleashed dog than a wild fox. The following lists the most common backyard chicken predators and nuisance animals in Baltimore City, along with integrated strategies for protecting your flock.
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Humans
Keeping chickens in your backyard in Baltimore City is likely to draw attention from neighbors, especially if people have never kept chickens. Human curiosity, whether innocent or maleficent, is, unfortunately, a predatory element that should be considered when designing a safe space for your backyard chickens. Some of the ways to protect your flock include installing a six-foot fence around your yard or coop with a door that is kept locked. Your chicken coop and chicken run should be locked and impenetrable without the aid of tools. Fortunately, the same integrated predator management methods serve to protect them from the majority of threats.
have a negative impression of the influence that backyard chickens can have on the neighborhood. Baltimore City does not allow residents to keep roosters, the male chickens known to crow loudly at daybreak and dusk, so your flock is generally quiet, until a hen lays an egg.
have a negative impression of the influence that backyard chickens can have on the neighborhood. Baltimore City does not allow residents to keep roosters, the male chickens known to crow loudly at daybreak and dusk, so your flock is generally quiet, until a hen lays an egg.
Dogs & Cats
Unfortunately, unleashed dogs are too often cited as the cause of a chicken attack in urban areas. In general, most outdoor cats seem to leave backyard chickens alone, but some ferrel cats can take interest in chickens as a food source.
Foxes & Hawks
When it comes to hawks, however, crows are your best friend. If you have black crows who nest in a tree near your flock, they will quack aggressively to alarm each other of the presence of hawks. Crow will also work together to chase a hawk away from their territory.
Rats
Baltimore City rats are notoriously large and aggressive (Name, date), thus they are one of they present some unique challenges for keeping backyard chickens in Baltimore. Rats are generally after your chicken feed, or maybe some eggs; however, they can introduce parasites or disease into your coop and they are capable of taking a bite out of one of your hens, especially if the chickens are unable to roost off of the ground. (Why chickens roost off of the ground.) To protect your flock from rats, keep their feed in a galvanized container (rats can't easily chew through it), collect your eggs daily, keep your coop bedding clean, and secure openings in your chicken coop with materials that rats don't chew through, such as spray foam or 1/4-inch hardwire. With that said, Baltimore rats have the ability to simply chew a hole into the side o your coop. Always spot check your chicken coop for evidence of rats. For more information, see Securing Your Chicken Coop & Chicken Run »
Skunks, Raccoons, & Possum
If your chickens sleep on a high roost, they are likely safe from foxes or dogs that can't reach them, but when it comes to skunks, raccoons, and possum, they can climb. The good news is that in Baltimore City, there are easier food sources for these animals, like our trash bins, and so skunk, raccoon, and possum chicken attacks seem to be less frequent in Baltimore City than in the country. With that said, all three animals are nocturnal and it is easy to protect your flock from them by making sure that your chickens are in bed and that their coop is secured before dusk.
Snakes
Snakes are more interested the eggs rather than to the chickens in your coop; however, they are quite capable of taking a bite out of one of your hens, should they crawl into the nest while a snake is having its meal. To protect your flock from snakes, collect your eggs daily and secure openings in your chicken coop. For more information, see Securing Your Chicken Coop & Chicken Run »
Nuisance Animals
References
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From specific regulations to urban climate and predatory risks, Baltimore City presents unique challenges for chicken keepers. Although much of the information available from Bmore Chickens is applicable to chicken keeping in other geographic areas, Bmore Chickens is focused on the programs and challenges of keeping chickens as pets only in Baltimore City.
Bmore Chickens periodically checks on the continued accuracy of all Baltimore City and Maryland state regulatory information and external links to resources. Please contact us regarding any outdated information or broken hyperlinks. Bmore Chickens is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, care, and treatment. When dealing with poultry illness or disease, always seek professional veterinary help for your chickens. |