Los Alamos County warns backyard chickens can attract bears, wildlife
Unsecured chickens, eggs and feed can lure bears into Los Alamos yards. The county says a flimsy coop can put both flocks and wildlife at risk.
Just three chickens amount to about 4,500 calories. On June 22, Los Alamos County put a dozen eggs at another 900 calories and chicken feed at about 1,500 calories per pound. Feed is especially tempting because it is dense in carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, making an unsecured coop an easy target for hungry wildlife.
Bears can break through materials that may keep out skunks, raccoons, coyotes, cougars, bobcats, opossums, foxes, weasels, snakes, birds of prey, dogs and cats. To reduce the risk, Los Alamos County urged residents to use a sturdy coop with a strong roof, place it away from overhanging trees and dense cover, and keep the surrounding area clear of attractants and hiding places. Electric fencing should surround the coop and chicken runs and remain powered around the clock.
All doors and windows should be locked at night, and feed should be stored in a bear-resistant container or a locked building, not inside the coop or on a porch. Motion-activated lights and noisemakers are temporary fixes, not long-term protection.
BearWise puts the number of U.S. households that keep backyard poultry at more than 11 million. BearWise recommends at least three wires, with the lowest strand 7 to 9 inches above the ground and the highest 36 to 42 inches up, along with an energizer delivering at least 6,000 volts and 0.5 output joules.
On April 21, the county reminded residents that black bears were becoming more active across the county as spring returned to the Jemez Mountains. Bears emerge from dens in spring and begin looking for food, and bears fed human food can become habituated, aggressive and dangerous. When that happens, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish says, a bear may have to be relocated or, in some cases, killed.
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