- Nov 23, 2013
- 7
- 0
- 7
Two nights ago, a raccoon got into my hen house by lifting the lid to the nesting box (my husband assured me that no animal would be strong enough to lift it and a bungee cord would be enough to keep it closed - he was wrong...). I heard the lid slam and the ensuing commotion and ran down to save my girls. It was dark and I couldn't see much until my husband finally got his gun and turned on the light. It all happened so fast; the raccoon took off and I got three of my four girls into the basement, but couldn't find my Brownie, the oldest of the four and the most senior. I don't know if there was a second raccoon that ran out with her (can a raccoon carry a hen and run away quickly?), or if she took off on her own once I opened the coop door, but I haven't seen her since, and there's no evidence of an attack (feathers/blood).
My problem now is that the three remaining hens don't head for the coop at sunset. I have literally had to guide them there the last two nights. Is it because mama hen is not here to guide them anymore, or are they afraid to go back in? They just linger in the front yard even though it is getting dark, and they used to head back in 15 to 20 minutes before sunset. Will they recover and go back to their usual routine or is there something I need to do? Any feedback would be great.
Oh, and to add to my misery, I spotted a black bear running through my back yard this morning. Are bears predators I need to plan for, too? I'm going to need to build a Fort Knox type of chicken coop!
My problem now is that the three remaining hens don't head for the coop at sunset. I have literally had to guide them there the last two nights. Is it because mama hen is not here to guide them anymore, or are they afraid to go back in? They just linger in the front yard even though it is getting dark, and they used to head back in 15 to 20 minutes before sunset. Will they recover and go back to their usual routine or is there something I need to do? Any feedback would be great.
Oh, and to add to my misery, I spotted a black bear running through my back yard this morning. Are bears predators I need to plan for, too? I'm going to need to build a Fort Knox type of chicken coop!