Raising Chickens in Alaska with Bears

Raising chickens in Alaska requires a few special considerations. Bears, in particular, can be dangerous and difficult to deter. Of course it is important to protect chickens from predatory bears, but it is also important to do so without harming the bears in the process. Both chicken and bear casualties are an important point of interest for those who attempt to raise chickens in Alaska.

  1. Smells

    • When preparing to raise chickens in bear territory, it is important to first consider what attracts bears to the chickens in the first place. In fact, bears are not initially attracted to chickens themselves but instead they identify other smells, such as garbage or chicken feed, as possible food sources. Fortunately, such smells are relatively easy for chicken owners to deal with. Garbage should be well-contained and secured. Food should be stored indoors (out of smelling distance for bears) and chickens should be fed smaller portions throughout the day so excess food is not in the open for bears to smell. Also, chicken's cages should be kept clean, as the smell of physical and food waste can also attract bears.

    Electric Fences

    • Electric fencing is a relatively safe option for keeping bears away from chickens. Fencing will not seriously harm bears, but it will alert them to stay away from the area. Fences typically hold 5,000 to 7,000 volts. Bears usually touch them first with sensitive areas like the pads of their paws or the tips of their noses, and quickly realize the danger. Fencing costs range from $150-$200 for a basic enclosure, as of 2011.

    Get Creative

    • Bears are curious and resourceful animals. Experts recommend trying to think the way a bear thinks in order to keep chicken habitats well-protected. Bears have been known to find buried cables and are capable of damaging electric fences. They can also find new ways to get into secured coops. Window shutters and door barricades can help make chicken coops extra secure against bears' efforts.

    Protecting Bears

    • Though relatively few, bear casualties have resulted from bears seeking food in chicken coops in Alaska. It is important to remember that bears, though they can pose a threat, play a valuable role in the ecosystem. Bears are said to be an indicator of an ecosystem's health, in that they themselves require an ecosystem in which several other habitats thrive simultaneously. Being predators, bears also serve to control other populations, such as deer and moose, as well as contributing to the life cycle of the plants they consume.