35 dead chickens. Coons, maybe weasels : Update Post #45

[Jschaaff]

Quote:
I am headed out to our local feed store momentarily to look at electric fencing.

I recently found out a "neighbor" up the street is raising chickens in her basement.. (ew..for the record)... starting to make a little more sense WHY... (which means I'm likely losing my mind)

Thank you all for the suggestions:
Longer screws/reinforced wood.
Padlock
Hotwire/electric fences.

I have a feeling I might have to implement all and then some...

Thank you
Jessa

 

[Jschaaff]

Quote:
Aw thanks LadyRide. Your warm words just lifted my spirits (and DD's too, who is reading over my shoulder, and just as shook up with this whole thing as I am).
Thank you, so very much.

Jessa

 

[retiredwithchicks]

I know what you mean by coons pulling out nails and screws. I have lost about one and a half dozen this year from coons, owls, weasels. We have also dropped their numbers by 9 coons and 3 possums from catching and killing them. They pulled the nails/screws/staples out of the posts anywhere there was room for their little fingers to get into. I even went to feed and water late yesterday afternoon and saw a peach and leaf drop from a tree nearby. I looked up and there set a coon in daylight. Called my husband to come with gun and before we finished had killed 4 coon in that one tree. They are getting brave or desperate one. Good luck, keep going and you will finally have secure place. The problem we had was the most were killed when we were out of town for a week. My mother didn't know how to adjust/repair what they had done so they kept coming back with success. I so often think about giving up my chickens but something keeps me trudging ahead with them.

 

[halo]

On another thread, Kathyfrommo has been documenting the coons she has trapped and killed recently...last I noticed, she was up to 17 trapped and disposed of. You probably cant trap them now because they have easier pickings, but once you ramp up those coops, you might still put out traps and try and catch what you can. Good luck.

 

[sherylreno]

http://www.niteguard.com/

Here you go, why don't you try this method, it scares the crap out of them and it works really well no matter what predator you have.

 

[geoff40]

Jessamine
May I suggest pulling back for a bit, maybe until next year? Obviously you are a good person and your heart is in the right place. Don't give up, but rather instead understand that for what ever reason the tractor isn't working. It's junk, and if you're going to succeed you have to get rid of it and build them something entirely different. Predators are going to show up every night, you've got to build them a coop that nothing short of a bear is going to get in to. It's not really all that difficult, just takes determination and a bit of grunt work.

I was always told that a tractor is a daytime shelter and isn't enough for a permanent, night time home. Like in many other examples of items, it is difficult to find both light weight and sturdiness (read predator-resistant) in a chicken enclosure. Recycled wood can be found on places like Craigslist, or there are some backyard type of sawmill businesses around that can be a pleasant surprise when you get the invoice.

 

[rebel yell]

A good dog is worth its weight in gold at times like these, We had problems with our German Sheperd at first, but I broke her from the chickens, but nothing messes with mine with her around. its easy to bring in a young puppy & train it to be around the birds, but bringing in a grown dog could cause problems, mine does her job & does it well, something to think about for down the road.

 

[Titania]

I'm so sorry!! That is so sad to lose so many of your chickens!!

Just know that it happens to so many of us.

I lost my first flock of 4 to racoons and foxes. The raccoons really had me scared and I was really worried about what they would be able to work through. Foxes and possums are so much easier to keep out!! But raccoons will find the weak spot and work on it until they can get through.

We built a raised coop with a cement pad underneath. The frame to the run had 1/2" hardware cloth wrapped around it & secured with screws & washers to the frame; then it was bolted into the cement. The girls all sleep in their coop and all doors have either a bar across or gate latches with locks. Since all of the bars and latches are 3' off the ground, it makes it harder for a coon to have the time to work on them. I don't know if you can raise up your tractor or start from scratch. Can you post pictures of your tractor and set-up so that maybe we can make more helpful suggestions?

Here is a link to the post about building our coop (which is admittedly much smaller than yours since I only have 6 chickens). I have had alot of success with our coop. I know we were in a bad way with predators because my last remaining chicken from the first flock slept in an airline grade pet carrier with stainless steel bars/latches, etc. The predator came, dragged the carrier to the middle of the yard, and tore the pet carrier apart and pulled the door off its hinges. So, knowing I had that to deal with, we tried to build the coop as solid as possible. Good luck!!

http://thefairyandthepumpkin.typepa...2010/11/the-best-coop-is-a-finished-coop.html

 

[drumstick diva]

Your raccoons sound like they are taking steroids. Are you sure you don't have a bear(s)? That was my first thought when I started reading your post. So sorry for your and your flock. Hope you turn the tables on them.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

I've heard that raccoons can be persistent but this is a very sobering post! So very very sorry for these terrible losses.

Would it be worth putting up one of those cameras to see exactly what is getting your chickens?

Would a motion sensor light be helpful?

And, of course, the electric fencing.

How high up are your locks? If you put them higher where the raccoons (assuming that's what this is) would not have leverage or a place to sit while they fiddle with the locks, would that help?