If groundhogs are eating your garden, you need to learn how to get rid of them in a humane and natural way. There are both homemade groundhog remedies, like kitty litter and Epsom salt, and commercial products that can get rid of groundhogs fast.
Groundhogs, which are also called woodchucks, like yards and gardens with lots of leafy greens, vegetables like celery and carrots, berries, and black cherry or dogwood trees. They can damage sheds, foundations, driveways, and retaining walls.
These rodents may also harm dogs if they get in a fight, and people can easily twist an ankle by stepping into a groundhog hole. Here is what you need to know to find out if you have a groundhog problem and how to get rid of them in a humane and natural way.
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are furry rodents that live throughout much of North America. With their burrowing habits and voracious plant-eating, they can be a nuisance to homeowners and gardeners. But if you keep chickens, you may be wondering if groundhogs pose a more serious threat to your flock.
Understanding Groundhog Behavior
Most of the time, groundhogs eat plants like grasses, berries, roots, bark, and crops. They are not natural predators of chickens. They may be mean when protecting their territory or when they feel threatened, though. They can hurt people because their teeth and claws are very sharp.
Groundhogs are solitary creatures, coming together only to mate. Your free-range chickens would also be out and about during the day because they are active during the day. For quick escapes from animals that might hurt them, groundhogs dig burrows with more than one entrance. You can find these holes under sheds, porches, barns, or chicken coops.
Groundhogs do not typically climb fences. But because they are good at digging, they can get around fences by digging under them. They are also good swimmers and can cross water barriers.
The Verdict: Yes, But Rarely
The consensus among backyard chicken keepers is that healthy, free-ranging chickens are rarely viewed as prey by groundhogs. There are very few reported cases of groundhogs killing mature chickens.
However, groundhogs can pose a threat to baby chicks and eggs. They may also attack sick, injured, or immobilized chickens they perceive as vulnerable. A groundhog defending its territory near its burrow could go after a chicken that gets too close.
So while outright attacks are uncommon, the possibility exists that a groundhog could kill a chicken under the right circumstances. It’s a good idea to take preventative measures just in case.
Protecting Your Flock from Groundhogs
Here are some tips to reduce the risks posed by groundhogs to your flock
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Install sturdy perimeter fencing around your coop and runs. Bury the fence 6-12 inches underground or use an L-shaped fence to prevent digging underneath.
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Use secure latches on doors and windows of coops and runs, Groundhogs are excellent climbers
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Discourage groundhogs from taking up residence close to your coop. Look for burrows and fill them in quickly.
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Never let baby chicks or hatching eggs out unsupervised. Have a safe, enclosed brooder setup.
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Provide shelter for free-range chickens to escape from groundhogs.
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Use electric poultry net fencing as a portable barrier for rotating pastures. Groundhogs dislike being zapped.
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Remove any cover or debris near your coop that could offer groundhogs protection.
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Immediately isolate and treat any chickens that become injured or display illness. Predators will target weaker birds.
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Consider adding a livestock guardian dog or donkey that can deter groundhogs.
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Trap and relocate persistent groundhogs away from your property using havahart traps. Seek legal advice on relocation protocols in your area first.
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As a last resort only, extermination of problem groundhogs may be required. Take care to do so safely and humanely.
Peaceful Coexistence is Possible
With proactive measures in place, chickens and groundhogs can live harmoniously in close proximity. Groundhogs provide beneficial ecosystem services like aerating soil and dispersing seeds. And most will not bother an active, healthy chicken.
Raising backyard chickens comes with inherent risks of predation. But common-sense protection steps will allow your flock and groundhogs to safely share the same environment. Stay vigilant, respond quickly to new burrows or sightings near your coop, and keep those chickens secure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Groundhogs and Chickens
1. Are groundhogs attracted to chickens?
Groundhogs are not innately attracted to chickens as a food source. However, they may show territorial aggression toward chickens roaming near their burrows. Chickens should not be viewed as prey as long as they keep a respectful distance.
2. Can groundhogs climb fences?
While excellent diggers, groundhogs do not typically climb well. A properly constructed fence with a footer should prevent groundhogs from breaching enclosures. Sturdy fencing is key to protecting chickens.
3. Do groundhogs eat eggs?
There are no reports of groundhogs consuming eggs from chickens. Their diet consists mainly of plant matter. However, it’s wise to gather eggs frequently and not leave them unattended near groundhog burrows.
4. Can groundhogs transmit diseases to chickens?
Direct transmission of diseases from groundhogs to chickens is very uncommon. But they can carry ticks, fleas and other parasites that may pose a risk to chicken health. Maintaining clean coops and runs helps avoid pest infestations.
5. How big do groundhogs get?
Groundhogs reach an adult length of 16 to 27 inches and can weigh from 4 to 14 pounds. They are stocky, medium-sized rodents with muscular front paws adapted for digging. Their size makes them capable of taking down a chicken.
6. When are groundhogs most active?
Groundhogs are diurnal, meaning most active during daylight hours as opposed to being nocturnal. This matches the active periods of free-range chickens, increasing chances for interaction.
7. Can groundhogs be aggressive?
While not typically aggressive, groundhogs will defend themselves vigorously if confronted or cornered. It’s best not to provoke or attempt to handle them. Their sharp teeth and claws can cause nasty injuries if they bite or scratch.
8. How can I discourage groundhogs near my coop?
Remove any brush piles or debris that could provide shelter. Pour ammonia down burrows to drive them away from the area. Install fencing designed to thwart digging and climbing. Scare them away with loud noises or water sprayed from a hose.
9. Should I get rid of groundhogs on my property?
Eliminate groundhogs only as a last resort. Try non-lethal deterrents first. If removal is necessary, work with local wildlife authorities to relocate them safely away from residences. Lethal methods should be humane and legal in your jurisdiction.
10. What’s the best way to protect my chickens?
A well-constructed coop and enclosed run with protective fencing and proper latches provide the best defense against groundhogs and other predators. Maintaining healthy chickens and removing attractants like debris near the coop also help discourage unwanted pest visitors.
Signs of a Groundhog Infestation
A good indicator of a groundhogs presence in your garden is a hole 10 to 12 inches wide in the ground or under an outdoor storage shed with mounds of dirt outside of it to indicate the entrance to a tunnel. You might also notice chew or claw marks on your garden plants.
How to Prevent Groundhogs
- Remove the plants and brush they enjoy hiding out in. Getting rid of weeds and tall grass, as well as overgrown shrubs and brush piles
- For your yard’s safety, don’t let dandelions and clover grow. Groundhogs like to eat them.
- Get rid of any tree stumps or other old wood to make the area less friendly.
- Filling groundhog holes with crushed stone will get the rodents to leave and keep others from moving in.