- Mar 22, 2012
- 58
- 8
- 31
Day before yesterday, two of my hens escaped the run just before I had to be somewhere. I thought nothing of it, I'd be sure they got home the moment I got back. They have a place they like to roost if it's dusk and they're out. I got back at 8:15 but could only find one. I looked everywhere. Odd, but went to bed thinking she had found a tree or something.
Yesterday morning, I still couldn't find her. Now I was getting worried. I let the others out into the run, put the kids on the bus.. checked around - still nothing. Went inside to tidy up, and heard the chickens going crazy. I thought to myself, "Wow, Ivory really wants back in that coop, she's causing quite a fuss." So outside I went - rounded a corner - and there he was - a huge black bear at my coop! We looked at each other for a second (I had to let what I was seeing sink in) and then he bolted. I kinda did too.. went inside to think.
So now the chickens are in the run and there's a bear lurking. No, I wasn't going to go over there to close the run. Hopefully they'll have the good sense to stay inside the coop. Stupid birds - nope. My run is only to keep them in, not to keep things out - most certainly NOT predator proof. Sure enough - I came out later and saw the hole in the wire and my beautiful young roo was missing. Poor thing stood between the girls and the bear. Looking around there were 3 small white feathers near the coop - my best laying hen Ivory.... sigh.
When hubby came home from work, I had him stand watch while I put 2x4's over the doors and bolted them down. If the bear is determined he can still get in, but I did what I could. Today I'm in the market for an electric fence charger and barbed wire. Those things terrify me - I have 2 kids - one is autistic. I'll need to put up heavy signage.
I have 8 hens left. 1 mature, 1 just starting to lay, and the others at POL. I've worked so hard to get them where they are - now this. Hopefully he won't mess with the coop itself. So far he's left that alone at least. My girls and kids are on maximum security lockdown until I'm sure he's moved on. Sigh.
Yesterday morning, I still couldn't find her. Now I was getting worried. I let the others out into the run, put the kids on the bus.. checked around - still nothing. Went inside to tidy up, and heard the chickens going crazy. I thought to myself, "Wow, Ivory really wants back in that coop, she's causing quite a fuss." So outside I went - rounded a corner - and there he was - a huge black bear at my coop! We looked at each other for a second (I had to let what I was seeing sink in) and then he bolted. I kinda did too.. went inside to think.
So now the chickens are in the run and there's a bear lurking. No, I wasn't going to go over there to close the run. Hopefully they'll have the good sense to stay inside the coop. Stupid birds - nope. My run is only to keep them in, not to keep things out - most certainly NOT predator proof. Sure enough - I came out later and saw the hole in the wire and my beautiful young roo was missing. Poor thing stood between the girls and the bear. Looking around there were 3 small white feathers near the coop - my best laying hen Ivory.... sigh.
When hubby came home from work, I had him stand watch while I put 2x4's over the doors and bolted them down. If the bear is determined he can still get in, but I did what I could. Today I'm in the market for an electric fence charger and barbed wire. Those things terrify me - I have 2 kids - one is autistic. I'll need to put up heavy signage.
I have 8 hens left. 1 mature, 1 just starting to lay, and the others at POL. I've worked so hard to get them where they are - now this. Hopefully he won't mess with the coop itself. So far he's left that alone at least. My girls and kids are on maximum security lockdown until I'm sure he's moved on. Sigh.
