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we lost 25 today/ last night

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post #1 of 21

7/15/12 at 11:26am

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Harley Demag

Location: Vermont
Joined: 6/2012
Posts: 21
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we lost or 25 girls last night...something had chewed its way in. It was a very very small hole any ideas what it could have been? ate some slaughtered most. Very sad

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post #2 of 21

7/15/12 at 11:32am

sumi
Égalité

Location: Ireland
Joined: 6/2011
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I'm so sorry for your loss Unfortunately predators are a constant headache for chicken owners. Have a look around the Predators and Pests section for tips on how to secure your coop and also which predators you should look for and what to do about them.

A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked ~ Bernard Meltzer

post #3 of 21

7/15/12 at 11:33am

ManuelsChickens

Location: Joliet, IL
Joined: 7/2012
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Were they pullets,chicks,hens?

post #4 of 21

7/15/12 at 11:35am

ManuelsChickens

Location: Joliet, IL
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Also sorry for your loss. I lost a Silver Phoenix Hen 2 days ago. R.I.P.

post #5 of 21

7/15/12 at 11:37am

cafarmgirl

Location: California, central valley
Joined: 3/2009
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Could be a lot of things. Fox and raccoon both can get through a small opening but so can a lot of other things, depends what's in your area I guess. Might look into using welded wire, hardware cloth, with a buried skirt around the coop/run. Hot wire along the base works nicely too.

wife to long suffering husband who has built more miles of fence, barns, coops and enclosures then one man should have to, two teenage boys, current flock of 13 assorted hens and 1 big red roo, 2 goats, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 bunnies and 1 cockatiel.

post #6 of 21

7/15/12 at 11:44am

California_chickie

Location: Napa valley, Ca
Joined: 1/2012
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Sorry for your loss. :(

I agree with the previous post, hot wire is the way to go. It's initially a pain, but will deter those mean predators!

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

post #7 of 21

7/15/12 at 11:45am

CAjerseychick

Location: Northern California!
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Quote:

Originally Posted by cafarmgirl

We saw a stuffed weasel the other day at a museum-- it was the size of an elongated HAMSTER-- so tiny-- now I see how they can get in thru 1inch holes (and I have a 1 inch ventilation gap along the top of my Purina (design) coop we built). I hear weasels are vicious- they kill for fun not just food as well.

post #8 of 21

7/15/12 at 11:07pm

yo burrill

Location: Garland, ME
Joined: 5/2012
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Yep weasels will kill a coop full of chicks in one night. Usually ripping open the neck. They eat a little then go on their way. Hardware cloth over any holes no matter how small is a must if you have weasels. I have a chipmunk that comes in a eats from my chick feeder right now. It is cute. I really should start closing them in at night before I have a weasel find my chick tractor though...

I am a Maine farm girl! 2 horses, 2 dogs, 2 beef calves, 2 cats, a 75 gal fish tank, a Ball python, numerous barnyard banties and 9 EE's and three Muscovy ducks. Holy cow sounds like alot to see it written out!! :)

post #9 of 21

7/18/12 at 10:59am

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Harley Demag

Location: Vermont
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it was racoons, judging by the scat that they left behind... How they got in I HAVE NO IDEA.... i guess i'll have to get more and start over now... just comb over every inch until i find the weak spot...poor girls :(

post #10 of 21

7/18/12 at 11:06am

Going Quackers

Location: On, Canada
Joined: 5/2011
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Ugh, i'm sorry.. those coons are such pests.. they have destroyed our wooden garbage box.. we're rural and keep one on the driveway, they found a week spot and just ripped it apart.. jerks!

Did they get into your coop or was this a run?

~ Firefly Farms home of Miniature horses, 14 Muscovy ducks, 2 calls ducks ( 2 buff ducks joining this spring), 4 Ameraucana chickens(1/2 doz Silkies coming spring, darn chicken math finally got me) , Lionhead rabbits and your typical dogs, cats, fish, and parrots...