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Black bears killing chickens and damaging coops is becoming the number one source of human-bear conflict in Massachusetts. MassWildlife and the Environmental Police receive calls daily about bears breaking into chicken coops. Almost every bear in Massachusetts has learned this behavior. As backyard chicken farming has increased in popularity across the Bay State, conflict with black bears has also greatly increased.
The state’s bear population is estimated at over 4,500 animals. Common in central and western Massachusetts, black bears are expanding their range east to the Route 495 corridor. Bears will spend time in areas where human-associated foods like poultry feed, garbage, compost, livestock, and beehives are easy to find. Bears will revisit the same areas repeatedly if food is readily available. As the bear range expands eastward toward the most densely populated communities of Massachusetts, bear sightings are increasing in these areas and residents, especially those who keep backyard chickens, should take steps to prevent conflicts with bears.
Coops and chicken wire provide inadequate protection from black bears. Properly maintained electric fencing is the only way to protect chickens or other poultry from bears. Electric fencing is easy to set up and safe around kids and pets. Failure to use electric fencing will likely result in loss of birds and coop damage. Read on for more tips.
Click here to learn more about black bears in Massachusetts.
Black bear and chicken coop images (Kaitlin Blasko)
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