what to do now?

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NoMorePatsy

NoMorePatsy

Hatching
Jan 19, 2017
2
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7
I just interrupted a possum in the act of massacre and I am sooo annoyed! these girls are about to start laying (brown sex linked and easter-eggers) and I raised them from 1 day old. Now, I put the 6 survivors in a dog kennel in the shed, I have 4 unaccounted for (including the 2 roosters) and it's dark, cold and wet. I know I will have to do a deep clean of the coop this weekend, but how do I ever get the survivors to go back to and accept the coop? In the past when I've had a small flock like this be traumatized (severe flooding, predator attack) they have gone feral and gone to roosting in trees, not laying where I can find the eggs, and then getting picked off slowly by predators. anybody have any hints? this of course is the worst of all weather here, continuous rain on top of ice and I have to work tomorrow. My set up is a nice raised wooden coop to which I've attached a chain link dog run, which I leave open for them to roam the farm during the day and close at night (just not early enough apparently tonight).
thank you for any advice,
 
NoMorePatsy said:
I just interrupted a possum in the act of massacre and I am sooo annoyed! these girls are about to start laying (brown sex linked and easter-eggers) and I raised them from 1 day old. Now, I put the 6 survivors in a dog kennel in the shed, I have 4 unaccounted for (including the 2 roosters) and it's dark, cold and wet. I know I will have to do a deep clean of the coop this weekend, but how do I ever get the survivors to go back to and accept the coop? In the past when I've had a small flock like this be traumatized (severe flooding, predator attack) they have gone feral and gone to roosting in trees, not laying where I can find the eggs, and then getting picked off slowly by predators. anybody have any hints? this of course is the worst of all weather here, continuous rain on top of ice and I have to work tomorrow. My set up is a nice raised wooden coop to which I've attached a chain link dog run, which I leave open for them to roam the farm during the day and close at night (just not early enough apparently tonight).
thank you for any advice,
Click to expand...

I'v not had a predator attack thankfully. Maybe if you lock them in the secured coop for a couple of days, make sure it is Ft Knox, Then allow them into the secure run, till they calm down. Your run is secure right. I have an auto door on my coop that closes at sunset.
 
Firstly, hi and welcome to BYC. I agree that putting them in lockdown is likely your best option. It may take them a couple of weeks or so before they recover from the trauma. After an attempted hawk attack, my flock would not use that area of the garden for 3 weeks, so it can take time.
 
thank you for the advice and the welcome to the forum. My dad came over while I was at work and dispatched the villain today, the survivors are in a clean coop for the night. The 2 young roosters surprised me by coming out of the woods in the dense fog this morning, one stayed guarding the coop tonight, the other must have gone back to the woods.
 
NoMorePatsy said:
thank you for the advice and the welcome to the forum. My dad came over while I was at work and dispatched the villain today, the survivors are in a clean coop for the night. The 2 young roosters surprised me by coming out of the woods in the dense fog this morning, one stayed guarding the coop tonight, the other must have gone back to the woods.
Click to expand...
Welcome to BYC!

A 'clean coop' is not necessarily a secure coop.

More info on your coop...dimensions and pics.....would help us help you.
Where, how, and when the possum got at the chickens would help too.
 
Welcome! Predator protection is so important, and there's this learning curve that most of us go through as newer flock owners. So sorry for your loss; your birds will need some time to recover from the trauma, and you will need to make whatever upgrades are necessary. Locking them in a safe coop and run will be a very good idea! Mary
 
Possums are by far the easiest predator to eliminate with traps like this. These traps are called "dogproof traps". Go to YouTube to see how they work and how to set them. Very easy.

http://www.rpoutdoors.com/dudpcotr.html

I use a stick to stuff them with fish guts, canned tuna or sardines. I also add some cheap jam or jelly. Be sure to drop a few dollups around the trap to attract them to your trap. While you have an active predator keep bait in the trap the whole while. Otherwise, bait it up once a week just in case you have a new visitor you're not aware of. These traps won't harm dogs or cats. They can only be tripped by an animal with a hand-like paw. The trigger must be pulled upward in order to fire. These traps are also very effective for raccoons.

As long as they are baited, they are working for you. No need to stay up all night. Mine have been set outside for 2 years now and still work like the day I bought them.
 

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