Had my first loss today. I thought my run was secure, but I guess I have a weak spot. There is a small gap between my coop and the ground, and it looks like something used that gap to squeeze in and then dig into the run. It then looks like it cornered one of the hens inside the coop, killed her and then tried to drag the corpse back through the hole it had made, but was unable to get the hen to fit, so left her there. There were a lot of feathers in the corner of the coop, and the hen was missing her head. Tracks are hard to see, but I am guessing maybe a raccoon. None of the other birds were harmed.
I am trying to patch the gap with some left over hardware cloth, but am finding it difficult, since I still have quite a bit of snow on the ground. I leave for work before dawn, and have felt quite comfortable about opening the door between the coop and the run before I leave, but now I'm worried. I'm thinking about leaving them shut in the coop, but the coop is really too small for full time confinement.
Any advise?
I am trying to patch the gap with some left over hardware cloth, but am finding it difficult, since I still have quite a bit of snow on the ground. I leave for work before dawn, and have felt quite comfortable about opening the door between the coop and the run before I leave, but now I'm worried. I'm thinking about leaving them shut in the coop, but the coop is really too small for full time confinement.
Any advise?