Raising chickens has become an increasingly popular hobby across Colorado. With the high price of eggs at grocery stores, even more residents are adding egg-laying chickens to their properties.
With more chickens on the landscape in quality bear habitat across western Colorado, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has tips for chicken hobbyists with the goal of reducing conflict.
“It’s always better to prevent the problem than try to fix it after it has begun,” said CPW District Wildlife Manager Doug Purcell, of Pagosa Springs. “This is especially true with bears.”
Colorado is bear country. There are an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 black bears in the state, and the ever-growing human footprint has led to increased conflicts between humans and black bears. It is up to humans to do their part to limit potential conflicts by securing human food sources.
CPW recommends placing livestock in enclosed sheds or barns at night and to close all doors to all outbuildings so that a bear or other inquisitive predators can’t get inside.
Hobby livestock such as chickens can be secured by electrified enclosures. However, it is important for residents to know their local city, county and housing district codes. Electric fencing is not allowed under some regulations.
“Electric fencing is recommended as a resource, but we know it is not allowed by some local ordinances,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Adrian Archuleta, of Durango. “If you are allowed to use electric fencing, it’s also important to make sure it is well maintained and functioning properly. Electric fencing that is not working can present other wildlife issues such as tangle hazards.”
Protecting chickens themselves is one piece of reducing conflicts with black bears. But securing chicken feed or compost materials is equally important.
Bears are always on the lookout for food sources. Like most animals, bears are interested in finding the most calories they can for the least amount of work. Chicken feed or compost left outside unsecured will attract bears.
Once a bear earns a food reward once, it is likely to come back. That increases the chances of elevated conflicts such as property damage and threats to human health and safety.
“We need everyone to do their part to prevent conflicts with bears so that they don’t get in the habit of visiting human-occupied spaces,” Purcell said. “Whether you’re getting into raising chickens for the first time or you’re experienced, the early spring is a great time to make sure you’re doing what you can to secure those coops and keep them bear safe.”
For more information on living with bears, go to cpw.state.co.us/living-bears.
